Dodgers Injury News: Joe Kelly Expected to be Activated Next Week
After struggling with multiple injuries in their pitching ranks over the past few weeks, the Dodgers could get back one of their key bullpen arms in the coming days.
A key acquisition and a fan favorite at the Ravine, Joe Kelly’s appears primed to return from the injured list and it couldn’t have come at a better time for LA with the postseason quickly approaching. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts provided an update before Friday night’s game.
Kelly tossed a clean inning for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes on Friday, allowing just one base hit. He was joined by his son Knox at the ballpark who acted as the night’s bat boy for the Single-A ballclub.
The man known as Mariachi Joe has been more than just a chain rattler his memorable moments against both Carlos Correa and more recently Fernando Tatis Jr. in his second stint with LA.
Since coming over from the White Sox at the trade deadline, Kelly’s performance has been rejuvenated after his initial stint in Chicago.
Signing with the Sox in 2022 following his first stint in LA, Kelly saw his ERA soar and performance dip after leaving the West Coast, but Andrew Friedman saw something in his former reliever to bring him back.
Before getting hurt, Kelly was placed in his usual role of high leverage situations giving us his usual wild control, but high velocity and exciting outs when he’s needed them.
Hard throwing as always, the veteran should play into Dave Roberts’ postseason plans with many questions surrounding LA’s pitching core this month.
Lackluster starts, injury concerns and off the field incidents have left the margins for error quite thin for the Boys in Blue, but Kelly’s return will be welcomed back in spades, especially with recent news of Walker Buehler’s shut down for the rest of the season.
Wishing Kelly well on his rehab assignment, the Dodgers will need him and plenty more other than just Ryan Pepiot and Bobby Miller’s run of successful outings to get the job done in 2023.
Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
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