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The Arizona Diamondbacks have added depth to their pitching roster by signing right-hander Casey Kelly to a minor league deal, as confirmed by the transactions log on his MLB.com profile. Kelly, now 35, brings a wealth of experience to the organization, though his career has been marked by both promise and challenges. Originally a first-round draft pick by the Boston Red Sox in 2008, Kelly quickly established himself as a top-tier talent, earning a spot among baseball’s consensus top-100 prospects before being traded to the San Diego Padres in a blockbuster deal that also included future All-Star Anthony Rizzo in exchange for Adrian Gonzalez.
Kelly’s MLB journey began with a debut for the Padres in 2012, where he posted a 6.21 ERA over 29 innings across six starts, showing flashes of potential but struggling to find consistency. His trajectory took a significant detour in 2013 when Tommy John surgery sidelined him, delaying his return to the majors. When he finally made it back in 2015, Kelly faced further setbacks, getting roughed up for a 7.94 ERA in just 11 1/3 innings, effectively closing the door on his Padres tenure. Now, with the Diamondbacks, Kelly has a chance to rediscover his form in the minors and potentially work his way back to the big leagues with a team looking to bolster its pitching options.
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Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo recently informed Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports that infielder Blaze Alexander has suffered a right oblique strain. While Lovullo didn’t provide a precise recovery timeline, he indicated that Alexander will be out for weeks rather than days. With Opening Day less than a month away as of February 28, 2025, this injury could land Alexander on the injured list to start the season. Even if he recovers before the opener, he’ll need time to ramp up, essentially restarting spring training to regain game readiness.
Before this setback, the 26-year-old Alexander was poised to serve as Arizona’s primary bench infielder. Last season marked his major league debut, where he appeared in 61 games and made 185 plate appearances for the Diamondbacks. His .247/.321/.343 slash line translated to a wRC+ of 88, meaning he was 12% below league average offensively—not a standout performance, but respectable for a versatile backup. Alexander proved his utility by logging at least 53 innings at shortstop, second base, and third base in 2024, showcasing his value as a multi-position defender. In a recent announcement, Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo shared that right-handers Thyago Vieira and Josh Winder will both need Tommy John surgery. This significant setback means that both pitchers, who had been in camp as non-roster invitees, will miss the entire 2025 season. The news, reported by Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, is a considerable blow to the Diamondbacks' depth as they lose two promising arms for the duration of the year.
As Vieira and Winder prepare for their upcoming surgeries and subsequent rehabilitation, the Diamondbacks organization will need to adjust their pitching strategies accordingly. The team will rely on other pitchers to step up and fill the void left by these unfortunate injuries. While the road to recovery will be long and challenging for both Vieira and Winder, their resilience and determination will be crucial as they work towards returning to the mound in the future. |
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