The Los Angeles Dodgers were off Thursday, but they still made some roster moves in reinstating Joe Kelly and placing Scott Alexander on the 10-day injured list.
For Kelly, it is his first time on the active roster this season. He fell behind early in Spring Training with shoulder trouble and never appeared in a Cactus League game. The Dodgers were vague about his ailment, but Kelly recently disclosed to a Boston radio station that he underwent offseason surgery to remove a cyst from his right shoulder.
“We were aware,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of the operation. “It’s something that Joe, very prideful and doesn’t make excuses, and we talked about it. He just wanted to keep it quiet.
“We weren’t too concerned with the short- or the long term. It’s something he didn’t want to make an excuse for performance last year, and felt it would come out as such. We were going to do it, it slipped our mind, but it’s not something we were trying to conceal.
“I think initially it was more respecting Joe’s wishes.”
Kelly didn’t want his shoulder surgery disclosed because he wanted to avoid it being used as an excuse for his inconsistencies last season. “I think it could’ve been perceived that he didn’t pitch well and inconsistencies were because of the cyst,” Roberts relayed.
“Came into Spring Training good, he went back-to-back a few days ago, a couple days’ rest, he’ll pitch on Sunday. If it was something more impactful or serious, it would’ve been released. It’s more of us adhering to his wishes.”
Kelly getting close to Red Sox form
With Kelly’s shoulder issue now in the rearview mirror, Roberts believes he is closer to returning to his Boston Red Sox. “Joe’s doing everything we’ve asked, trying to get him back,” Roberts said.
“The command, velocity, breaking ball, changeup, all that is there. The soreness after outings is dissipating.”
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, participate in our shows and giveaways, and more!
