PHOENIX — Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Merrill Kelly left his start against the Texas Rangers on Wednesday after throwing a pitch in the fifth inning.
Kelly walked the opening batter in the fifth and winced after throwing a pitch to Marcus Semien. The right-hander doubled over, appearing to try stretching out his back as Arizona’s athletic trainer and manager Torey Lovullo visited him on the mound.
Kelly has been bothered by cramps in past starts at Chase Field and returned from the 60-day injured list due to right shoulder inflammation on Aug. 11.
Kelly was 4-0 in his return to the rotation and had given up two runs on four hits before leaving against the Rangers.
