Merrill Kelly, considered one of the top starting pitchers in what is a relatively weak market for them this offseason, is headed back to where he’s spent most of his major league career.
The 37-year-old right-hander has agreed to a two-year, $40 million deal to return to the Arizona Diamondbacks, The Post’s Jon Heyman confirmed.
Kelly spent the first six-plus seasons of his major league career with Arizona before he was traded to Texas at the deadline this past season.
The durable Kelly has made at least 30 starts in three of the last four seasons and gets a significant raise after earning $7 million a year ago.
Kelly’s road was unique, having spent seven years in Tampa Bay’s minor league system before pitching in Korea for four years.
He made his MLB debut with the Diamondbacks at age 30 in 2019 and solidified himself as a key piece of the rotation in 2022, when Kelly pitched a career-high 200 ⅓ innings over 33 starts.
Kelly also pitched well in the 2023 playoffs, when Arizona made an unexpected run to the World Series before losing to Texas. It was the Diamondbacks’ only postseason appearance since 2017.
Even before he was traded to the Rangers, who, like Arizona, missed the postseason this year, Kelly sounded open to another stint with the Diamondbacks in free agency.
“The front office knows how fond I am of being here and being home,’’ Kelly said in July of having grown up in Scottsdale and gone to college at Arizona State. “I know my wife is fond of being here and being home. Regardless of what happens after the 31st, being here is never off the table.”
Among the starting pitchers still available in free agency are Framber Valdez, Ranger Suarez, Michael King, Lucas Giolito and Zac Gallen.
