Dodgers’ Roster Lists New Jersey Number For Joe Kelly
The Dodgers made their signing of relief pitcher Joe Kelly official on Monday. He agreed to a one-year contract worth $8 million, but the big news around him is his jersey number.
Nothing is official yet, but the Dodgers roster shows Kelly listed as number 99. It seems that he has changed from his number 17…I wonder why…
This couldn’t have anything to do with the team signing two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani over the weekend, could it?
All indications are that the number 17 will be going to Ohtani. He and the Dodgers agreed to a record-setting $700 million contract that spans 10 years.
Earlier, it was reported the team had asked Kelly if he would be willing to give up his number. Now, the change has happened. Kelly, a veteran relief pitcher, was not in position to strongarm Ohtani’s preferred number away from the Dodgers’ $700 million star.
Monday brought news that Kelly’s contract is official. Ohtani’s is not. Depending on the complexity of the contract – which Major League Baseball must review and approve – that could change soon. The Dodgers have already cleared room for Ohtani on their roster with a trade. Minor leaguer Trey Sweeney arrived in a trade with the New York Yankees on Monday in exchange for lefty reliever Victor Gonzalez and infielder Jorbit Vivas, both of whom were on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster.
All that remains is for Ohtani’s contract announcement to become official.
Photo Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
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