Dodgers: Joe Kelly Not Expected Back Until Series Against the Angels at Best

The Dodgers are going to need all of the help that they can get. And while they could really use some help with the bat, the bullpen is going to need some assistance as well. Especially after the series with the Brewers. 

The good news is that they will be getting back one of their main arms in the bullpen soon. Joe Kelly has not yet played with the Dodgers in 2021 as he works his way back from an unspecified injury. 

The bad news is that the Dodgers won’t have him back until they return to Southern California. Dave Roberts revealed before the game on Thursday night that Kelly is not traveling with the team and is not part of the plan for the current portion of the road trip. 

On this road trip, unlikely. But potentially I would say the earliest when we get to Anaheim. Or on the homestand. 

Getting him back at all at this point is something the Dodgers will gladly take. They’ve already seen several guys in the bullpen go down with injuries, and they just added Brusdar Graterol to that list. Brusdar went on the 10-day injured list before Thursday’s game with a forearm issue. 

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Kelly appeared in just 12 games for the Dodgers in 2020. Part of that was due to his controversial suspension for “throwing at” Astros hitters. In 10 innings of work, he was charged with 2 earned runs and tallied 9 strikeouts. Kelly also walked 7 batters in that timespan. 

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