Injuries have been a looming shadow over the Diamondbacks this season, but a glimmer of hope emerged on Sunday regarding two of their key players: Merrill Kelly and Corbin Carroll. Could they still make the Opening Day roster? It’s a question that has fans on the edge of their seats. But here’s where it gets interesting—while the news is cautiously optimistic, the road to recovery is anything but straightforward.
Let’s start with Carroll, whose Spring Training took an unexpected turn when he underwent surgery for a broken hamate bone in his right hand. Typically, such an injury sidelines players for 4 to 8 weeks, but Carroll is determined to beat the odds. Just three weeks post-surgery, he’s already catching fly balls and hitting with both hands on the bat—a pace he describes as ‘definitely ahead of schedule.’ Manager Torey Lovullo praised Carroll’s relentless effort, though he’s careful not to push too hard. The real test? How many Cactus League games can Carroll play before Opening Day, and will it be enough to get him game-ready?
Now, onto Kelly, whose back soreness initially raised alarms. Despite clean MRI and CT scans, the diagnosis of intercostal nerve irritation had him bracing for a 15-day injured list stint. But here’s where it gets controversial: after receiving a cortisone and lidocaine injection, Kelly reported a pain-free catching session, shifting his outlook entirely. While he won’t start on Opening Day, the plan is to slot him into the back of the rotation, potentially debuting during the team’s second series. However, some argue that rushing Kelly back could risk further injury. Should the Diamondbacks play it safe and give him more time, or is the urgency of the season too great to wait?
The Diamondbacks’ schedule adds another layer of complexity. With a three-game series against the Dodgers followed by a seven-game homestand, the team could technically delay Kelly’s return. But doing so would leave them shorthanded. And this is the part most people miss—even if Kelly returns with a limited pitch count, the bullpen could step in to bridge the gap. Is this a viable strategy, or a recipe for overworking the bullpen early in the season?
As Opening Day looms just three weeks away, the clock is ticking. Carroll’s rapid recovery and Kelly’s surprising turnaround offer a ray of hope, but questions remain. Can Carroll make up for lost Spring Training time? Will Kelly’s back hold up under the pressure of a full season? And perhaps most importantly, are the Diamondbacks taking a calculated risk or gambling with their players’ health?
What do you think? Is the team making the right call with Kelly and Carroll, or should they prioritize long-term health over short-term gains? Let us know in the comments—this is one debate that’s sure to spark differing opinions.
