The Los Angeles Dodgers pitching staff has been without several key contributors throughout various stages this season, with Joe Kelly among those currently unavailable.
Kelly was put on the 15-day injured list May 6 due to a right posterior shoulder strain. The initial hope was Kelly’s shoulder injury would not cause him to miss an extended amount of time.
But at the beginning of June, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the right-hander still was a minimum of multiple weeks away from getting activated.
Now Kelly’s timeline for a return has extended past the All-Star Game, according to Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
Out since early May with a shoulder injury, veteran reliever Joe Kelly continues to progress in his recovery. But Roberts said Kelly will not return until after the All-Star break and will go on a minor-league injury-rehabilitation assignment at some point when he is ready.
The Dodgers transferred Kelly to the 60-day IL on June 16. It was part of multiple roster moves that included J.P. Feyereisen and Michael Petersen being added to the Dodgers bullpen with Yoshinobu Yamamoto (right triceps tightness) and Michael Grove (right intercostal strain) both going on the 15-day injured list.
Kelly was put on the 60-day IL in order to make room for Petersen on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster. The paper move made Friday, July 5, the earliest date Kelly became eligible to get reinstated.
Kelly faced one batter in his last appearance before going on the injured list, collecting a strikeout against the Atlanta Braves. That gave him a sixth consecutive game without allowing a run.
After some early trouble this season that’s resulted in an inflated ERA, the 36-year-old found a rhythm from late April and into May. He’s pitched to a 4.73 ERA, 2.62 FIP and 1.35 WHIP across 15 appearances so far this season.
Dodgers bullpen without Joe Kelly
In addition to Kelly, the Dodgers have faced instances of needing to forge ahead without the likes of Brusdar Graterol, Evan Phillips, Ryan Brasier and Blake Treinen. Graterol has yet to pitch this season and Brasier remains on the 60-day IL as well.
Amid those absences, the Dodgers have received unexpected contributions from fellow right-handers Yohan Ramírez, Nabil Crismatt, Kyle Hurt and Dinelson Lamet.
The Dodgers re-signed Kelly during the offseason to a one-year, $8 million contract.
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