The Los Angeles Dodgers placed Joe Kelly on the 15-day injured list due to right forearm inflammation minutes before first pitch on Sunday afternoon. Kelly’s IL stint was backdated to Thursday, which makes August 25 the earliest he can be activated.
He’s the second relief pitcher the Dodgers have lost to injury in as many days. On Saturday, Yency Almonte landed on the 15-day IL with a sprained right knee.
Because Kelly was put on the IL right as the series finale against the Colorado Rockies began, the Dodgers did not have a corresponding move, thus leaving their bullpen a man short.
The IL stint is Kelly’s third of the season, as he missed time in April because of a right groin strain, and 16 days in July with elbow trouble prior to being traded to the Dodgers.
Kelly is 1-0 and thrown 3.2 scoreless innings in four appearances for the Dodgers. He’s allowed just one hit, walked three batters and collected seven strikeouts in those games.
Kelly last pitched on August 9, earning a hold in the eighth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Overall this season, the 35-year-old is a combined 2-5 with a 4.41 ERA and 48 strikeouts in 35 appearances for the Chicag White Sox and Dodgers.
Despite some of his struggles, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts made it clear he immediately trusted Kelly in high-leverage situations. Two of Kelly’s four appearances with the team have come in the seventh inning or later.
Joe Kelly surprised Dodgers clubhouse
Kelly boarded an early-morning flight for his return to the Dodgers, and shortly after reporting to Dodger Stadium, made his way to a Southern California staple and surprised clubhouse staff members.
“I didn’t have breakfast,” Kelly said. “Had an early flight, running off of four hours of sleep. Didn’t want the breakfast on the plane, obviously, so landed, got here and asked Alex (Torres, home clubhouse manager) if I could borrow his car because I was going to go to In-N-Out.
“I asked him what I should get, and he said a bunch of burgers. So I brought back a ton of burgers. The team is going to be mad, but they weren’t here. So obviously I brought it back for the clubhouse staff.”
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
