Kelly, Pitching Market and Spring Camp Battles Take Center Stage

The following piece recaps the latest Spring Training developments around the Arizona Diamondbacks. The focus is on Merrill Kelly’s mid-back tightness, how his potential absence could reshape the rotation, and the broader market and camp battles shaping MLB rosters as Grapefruit and Cactus League games roll on.

Merrill Kelly’s Back Tightness and MRI Update

Kelly got scratched from a live batting practice session because of mid-back tightness. He went for an MRI, and the results should come out today.

Arizona’s not sure if he’ll be their Opening Day starter. It really depends on what the scan shows and how much risk they’re willing to take this early in camp.

The big question is how long Kelly might be out and how that affects the Diamondbacks’ rotation. If he’s sidelined for a while, someone else will need to step up behind Zac Gallen and Ryne Nelson, and the competition for those open spots will heat up fast.

Rotation Outlook Without Kelly

With Kelly’s status up in the air, the Diamondbacks are weighing their options. Gallen and Nelson are probably locks, but who grabs the next spots?

• Brandon Pfaadt
• Eduardo Rodriguez
• Michael Soroka

These guys are all in the mix to join Gallen and Nelson. If Kelly misses significant time, the outcome could shape how the team spreads out innings and which young arms get a shot early in the season.

The Quiet Pitching Market and What It Means

Across MLB, the pitching market’s been weirdly quiet compared to the big splashes for position players. A few established starters are still unsigned, and teams seem unsure—do they go all-in for a top arm or hold off and wait for better deals?

As spring keeps rolling, this slow pace could mean more late signings and minor-league deals. That might give rotations and bullpens some last-minute depth.

Free-Agent Landscape to Watch

There are still some big names floating around out there. The following pitchers usually get mentioned as notable options:

The bullpen market is in a similar spot, with teams still figuring out who’ll handle late-inning roles or swingman duties. Most recent signings have been minor-league deals, not instant major-league bets.

Names like Michael Conforto and Thairo Estrada have popped up, and Rhys Hoskins just took a minor-league deal. It’s clear teams are chasing upside and flexibility this spring, maybe even more than usual.

Spring Training Camp Battles That Could Redefine Rosters

With Grapefruit and Cactus League games underway, camp battles are starting to take shape. What happens in March could decide Opening Night lineups and roles for a bunch of teams.

In the National League West, the Astros’ outfield is getting crowded. Other teams are working through their own questions about playing time and bullpen roles.

Notable Position Battles Across Teams

The Astros outfield competition is heating up. Cam Smith, Joey Loperfido, and Zach Cole are all in the mix, while Jake Meyers looks like the everyday option if things go as expected. But it could all change fast if someone gets hot with the bat or stands out defensively.

Milwaukee’s bullpen is another spot to watch. Trevor Megill is trying to lock down the closer job for 2025, but Abner Uribe, Jared Koenig, and others are pushing for those late-inning chances.

Injuries and late signings always open doors and force teams to make tough calls sooner than they’d like. Fans should expect plenty of surprises as teams juggle payroll, roster limits, and the grind of a 162-game season.

What to Watch as Grapefruit and Cactus League Games Heat Up

Camp’s picking up speed, and honestly, teams are scrambling to cover gaps from injuries and those last-minute signings. Depth matters more than ever right now.

Every MRI, every minor-league deal, every bullpen session—these things are starting to decide who’ll stick with the big club. Some guys will head to the minors, hoping to sharpen their stuff for another shot.

Opportunity’s the real headline here. Maybe it’s a pitcher filling in for someone hurt, or a reliever suddenly getting the ninth inning—someone’s always on the verge of grabbing a job.

These next few weeks are going to settle a lot of roster questions. You can almost feel teams weighing whether to get aggressive about upgrades.

Over in the Diamondbacks locker room—and honestly, all over MLB—there’s this buzz. As the games roll on, the conversation shifts from just injuries to the actual competition and who really fits for a 2026 roster.

 
Here is the source article for this story: The Opener: Kelly, Pitching Market, Camp Battles