Diamondbacks Provide Updates on Merrill Kelly, Corbin Carroll; Top Prospect Sent Down

Merrill Kelly throws live BP, Corbin Carroll takes more at-bats as Arizona makes roster moves

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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The Arizona Diamondbacks provided updates on the health statuses of pitchers Merrill Kelly and Corbin Carroll. Kelly threw a live batting practice session and expects to return to game action soon, while Carroll continues to progress in his recovery. The team also made several roster moves, including sending down top prospect Ryan Waldschmidt to the minors.

Why it matters

The Diamondbacks are closely monitoring the health of key players like Kelly and Carroll as they prepare for the upcoming season. Waldschmidt's demotion also highlights the team's depth and the tough roster decisions they face with players returning from injury.

The details

Right-hander Merrill Kelly threw a 23-pitch live batting practice session on Sunday and came away encouraged, expecting to return to game action soon. Manager Torey Lovullo said Kelly's velocity was in the 90-93 mph range as he faced both Corbin Carroll and Aramis Garcia. Kelly is hoping to avoid the injured list to start the season. Meanwhile, top prospect Carroll took at-bats for the second time in three days against live pitching, though Lovullo said his first game action would likely come in a backfields game rather than the Cactus League. The Diamondbacks also made 15 roster moves, with Ryan Waldschmidt being the most high-profile player sent to minor league camp. General manager Mike Hazen cited Waldschmidt's need to 'fine-tune' certain aspects of his game, including his plate discipline and defense, as reasons for the demotion.

  • On Sunday, March 8, Merrill Kelly threw a live batting practice session.
  • Corbin Carroll took at-bats against live pitching for the second time in the past three days.
  • The Diamondbacks made 15 roster moves on Sunday, March 8, including sending down top prospect Ryan Waldschmidt.

The players

Merrill Kelly

A right-handed pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks who is recovering from back tightness and hoping to avoid the injured list to start the season.

Corbin Carroll

A top prospect for the Arizona Diamondbacks who is continuing to progress in his recovery and is expected to see his first game action in a backfields game rather than the Cactus League.

Ryan Waldschmidt

A top prospect for the Arizona Diamondbacks who was sent down to minor league camp, with the team citing a need for him to 'fine-tune' certain aspects of his game, including his plate discipline and defense.

Torey Lovullo

The manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Mike Hazen

The general manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

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What they’re saying

“All good — 100 percent. So full steam ahead.”

— Merrill Kelly (azcentral.com)

“Felt like they had some good reactions to (my pitches). I didn't give up any hard hits and was around the zone for the most part. So all that stuff was a win today. (But) even if I gave up four homers, it would have been a win today.”

— Merrill Kelly (azcentral.com)

“That'd be my thought. More live at-bats. Running, sliding, throwing, all that type of stuff needs to take place, as well. Probably a backfield game would be a pretty safe bet. … When that happens, I'm not sure.”

— Torey Lovullo, Manager (azcentral.com)

“I think that him going down and continuing to get reps and improving defensively and offensively is critical. Hopefully, at some point, he's on our team this year, but he's still got some things I think to kind of fine-tune.”

— Mike Hazen, General Manager (azcentral.com)

What’s next

Merrill Kelly is expected to throw a bullpen session in the coming days and could return to game action as soon as Friday, March 13 or Saturday, March 14. The Diamondbacks will continue to monitor the progress of Corbin Carroll as he works his way back from injury.

The takeaway

The Diamondbacks are carefully managing the health and development of key players like Merrill Kelly and Corbin Carroll as they prepare for the upcoming season. The demotion of top prospect Ryan Waldschmidt also highlights the team's depth and the tough roster decisions they face with players returning from injury.