Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Merrill Kelly isn't pleased with the Chicago Cubs, pointing the finger at a member of their coaching staff for stealing signs.
"We just thought he was relaying signs," Kelly told reporters after Monday's 7-0 loss when asked about an in-game interaction between him and Cubs third-base coach Quintin Berry. "We thought he had something on my changeup ... especially to lefties. Every time I was throwing a changeup, we thought he was relaying it.
"Stealing signs is as old as baseball. I think it's a little bullshit when it comes from a coach."
POSTGAME: #Dbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly says they thought #Cubs third-base coach was relaying signs and believes that part of the game should stay between the players.
— Cameron Cox (@CamCox12) August 25, 2026
"I think it's a little BS when it comes from a coach."
(video courtesy https://t.co/Zd1ZFEYu7y) pic.twitter.com/gZTJJlIxdF
Kelly took the loss in Monday's game after allowing three earned runs on five hits and three walks to the Cubs. He relied on his changeup in the contest, throwing it for 28% of his pitches overall and ramping it up to 39% against lefties. Two of the Cubs' five hits off Kelly came on changeups, including a second-inning triple from Pedro Ramírez.
Kelly said he has no issue with players relaying signs but added that he doesn't believe coaches should gain an advantage for their team by doing it.
"I think if it's a guy on second base and they see the grip in your glove, or if the hitters can see something you're doing with your glove, I think that's fair game. I think guys have been doing that since the beginning of baseball," Kelly said.
"I think it's a little bush league when it comes from outside that. I think inside the lines is one thing. I think the guys standing outside the lines, I think it's a little bush league."
