Dodgers World Series Champion Pitcher Considering Retirement Due to Injury

Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Joe Kelly is considering retirement because of a slow recovery from a shoulder injury. The veteran shared an update on his free agency process via the Baseball Isn’t Boring podcast.

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“I’m not 100 percent yet,” Kelly said. “I want to see if I get to 100 percent.”

Kelly, 36, missed the Dodgers’ run through the postseason due to a shoulder injury. He also missed two months earlier in the 2024 season due to an injury to the same shoulder.

Kelly went 1-1 and produced a 4.78 ERA in 35 appearances for the Dodgers last season. In his second stint with L.A., the Southern California native limited opponents to 31 hits while striking out 35 batters across 32 innings.

Kelly believes he will reach 100 percent, but if he doesn’t, the three-time World Series champion will likely hang up his jersey. The reliever is currently a free agent.

“Eventually,” Kelly said when asked about getting healthy. “We’ll see. And if I don’t, then f— it. But I want to get there first” before reaching out to interested teams about signing a contract for 2025.

Even if Kelly decides to pitch in 2025, there is no guarantee the Dodgers will add the veteran to the bullpen given the loaded roster. As of now, L.A.’s eight-man bullpen includes Evan Phillips, Michael Kopech, Kirby Yates, Blake Treinen, Tanner Scott, Alex Vesia, and Anthony Banda.

It’s important to note Phillips and Kopech will likely be on the injured list to open the season, which leaves three vacant spots. Other candidates to fill a role in the bullpen include Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May. Depending on who wins the No. 5 starter slot in the rotation, the other will likely end up pitching in relief.

Earlier this offseason, Kelly made it sound like it would be Dodgers or bust in terms of playing somewhere in 2025.

“I am content all around. We have a good relationship. Like I said, once I am healthy, it’s kinda like Clayton (Kershaw’s) deal, there is only one spot we will come back to,” Kell said. “It’s either that or, you know, if my body doesn’t heal as well as it wants to, then you never know. So we’ll see.”

Whether the Dodgers re-sign Kelly or not, the veteran reliever has a number of iconic moments in a Dodgers uniform.

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Photo Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

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