The Los Angeles Dodgers traded left-handed pitcher Antoine Kelly to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for cash considerations Saturday.
Kelly signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers following their seven-game World Series triumph, but didn’t get his shot in the big leagues with LA. He made 23 appearances in Triple-A before his trade, and posted a 5.14 ERA in a hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.
Through 21 innings pitched, Kelly allowed 12 earned runs, two homers and struck out 22 batters.
Kelly came with the Dodgers to spring training as a non-roster invitee, and had a strong spring despite not making the team out of camp. He threw for the Dodgers 10 times in the Cactus League, striking out 13 batters through 9.2 innings pitched.
The biggest issue for Kelly, both in spring training and in the minors this season, has been his control. Kelly issued 19 walks in his 21 innings with the Oklahoma City Comets, and had six during his 9.2 spring training innings.
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Who Has Antoine Kelly Previously Played For?
Kelly began his MLB career with the Milwaukee Brewers, who signed him in 2019.
He remained in the Brewers’ organization until 2022, making his way up to High-A, before they traded him to the Texas Rangers in a deadline deal for Matt Bush. The Rangers sent Kelly directly to Double-A, but he had a rough time through his first seven appearances there. He had a 7.23 ERA through 18.2 innings, though managed 24 strikeouts during that time.
Kelly had a much better year in 2023, posting a 1.95 ERA in Double-A through 43 appearances—all of which came in relief—while managing 11 saves in 11 attempts as well as 69 strikeouts in 50.2 innings pitched.
He made his way up to Triple-A later that season, and had similarly stellar results. He posted a 2.70 ERA in six appearances.
Injuries derailed his 2024 season, and the Rangers designated him for assignment after he had a 9.00 ERA in one Double-A appearance and a 9.37 ERA in 18 outings in Triple-A. The Colorado Rockies picked him up off waivers, but he wasn’t much better in their organization, posting a 9.35 ERA through nine appearances.
Finally, he had a 5.63 ERA in Triple-A through 34 appearances in 2025.
The Dodgers didn’t really need Kelly, as their bullpen has been pretty good so far this season—excluding Sunday’s loss to the Angels. Kelly will hope to finally break into the majors on his new team.
Would you have liked to see Antoine Kelly stay with the team?
