The D-backs are bringing back a familiar face to bolster their starting rotation, agreeing to terms on a two-year, $40 million deal with right-hander Merrill Kelly , a source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand on Sunday. The team has not confirmed the deal.

After seven seasons with the Diamondbacks, in which he compiled a 3.74 ERA, Kelly was dealt to the Rangers at the Trade Deadline on July 31. He finished 2025 with a 12-9 record and a 3.52 ERA in 32 starts. That ERA ranked 19th in MLB among qualified starters, while Kelly's 18 quality starts were the 11th-most in baseball.

Kelly, 37, turned in an overall solid season in 2025, which continued a trend in which the righty has been one of the more reliable starters in the Majors. Aside from an injury-shortened 2024 season and the COVID-shorten

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