The hits keep coming for a Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen that did not need anymore negative news as Joe Kelly was their latest reliever to suffer an injury.
He was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right posterior shoulder strain to make room for Walker Buehler’s return.
In total, seven relievers have been placed on the injured list for the Dodgers in 2024 and they are only 36 games into the season. They lost two of their most important bullpen pieces before the season began in Brusdar Graterol and Blake Treinen.
Treinen recently made his return to the team, but Graterol recently suffered a setback in his return from injury and will continue to be out for the foreseeable future it seems.
The Dodgers bullpen has been unable to catch a break all season, but the past couple days have been particularly brutal for them and that is saying something.
Evan Phillips, the Dodgers closer and best bullpen option, recently was placed on the IL for the first time since 2021 with a right hamstring strain. However, the good news is that the Dodgers expect him to be back with the team as soon as he is eligible to return.
There was also some positive news for Kelly as the team doesn’t believe the injury is anything serious, according to Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times:
Source: Right-shoulder injury to #Dodgers RHP Joe Kelly is not believed to be major, but team should know more in a week or so.
— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) May 7, 2024
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Kelly first felt the injury in the back of his arm after throwing in his last appearance, facing one batter.
The initial scans didn’t show anything concerning and they believe it’s just a sore shoulder that shouldn’t keep him out long-term.
To their credit, the healthy members of Dodgers bullpen have rose to the occasion and have been very effective as of late and are a huge part of the team’s turnaround over the past couple of weeks. Treinen’s return will help alleviate some pressure, but this bullpen is going to be tested even further than they already have been so far.
Joe Kelly showed signs of improvement before injury
The fact that Kelly was turning a corner before being placed on the injured list is perhaps the hardest pill to swallow for the Dodgers. He allowed three runs in his 10.1 innings during the month of April and was on a 4.2 inning scoreless streak in his last six appearances.
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