The Los Angeles Dodgers have been without Joe Kelly since Aug. 31, when he was placed on the 15-day injured list due to right shoulder inflammation.
It’s the second IL stint of the season for Kelly, who previously missed more than two months because of a right posterior shoulder strain.
The 36-year-old has continued throwing and will take the next step in his recovery when he begins a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday.
The plan is for Kelly to make two appearances and then potentially rejoin the Dodgers bullpen next week, via Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic:
Dave Roberts said Joe Kelly will join OKC for a rehab assignment and pitch Thursday and Sunday before being activated in the middle of next week.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) September 11, 2024
Kelly will likely be limited to low-leverage situations when he returns. The right-hander struggled mightily upon landing on the IL for the second time this season, allowing nine runs (eight earned) in 10 appearances during the month of August.
“That’s a great question. As far as inconsistencies, I just don’t know that answer,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts answered when asked for his assessment of Kelly’s struggles last month.
“I think there’s some times he comes in and is lights out. Other times he labors. I don’t know if it’s something we’ve got to dig into or what it is. But it’s certainly been inconsistent.”
Kelly owns a 1-1 record, 5.20 ERA, 4.84 FIP, 1.59 WHIP and 9.8 strikeouts per nine in 27.2 innings pitched over 31 appearances this season.
Joe Kelly among injured Dodgers pitchers on brink of returning
Kelly is among a few injured Dodgers pitchers who could potentially return to the Dodgers in the next week or two.
Tyler Glasnow recently threw his second bullpen session since going on the IL and could return to the team without needing a rehab assignment.
Meanwhile, Tony Gonsolin recently began a rehab assignment with OKC and made his first start in over a year. It remains to be seen if Gonsolin will return this year, but if he does, he most likely would contribute out of the bullpen.
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