Joe Kelly’s Injury, Ineffectiveness Opens Door for Dodgers’ Brent Honeywell Jr

The Los Angeles Dodgers have been one of the best teams in baseball all season but their bullpen has hardly been a bastion of consistency. Los Angeles has played musical chairs with its bullpen arms all season. At times, it has seemed that no matter what they do, a new issue arises.

The Dodgers placed right-hander Joe Kelly on the injured list Saturday with right shoulder inflammation, adding to their growing list of injured pitchers. With this move, Los Angeles brought back up one of the more effective relief arms they’ve seen this season: Brent Honeywell Jr.

Even before the injury to Kelly, the veteran righty hasn’t been right on the mound. He posted a 7.71 ERA, an 18.2 percent strikeout rate, and a 13.6 percent walk rate in August.

His struggles have been so apparent, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts couldn’t help but acknolwedge them to reporters recently.

“His last [three appearances] were great, efficient, strike-throwing,” Roberts said of Kelly after a rough Aug. 24 outing against Tampa Bay. “Today, he got the first out and left a slider middle-middle that was hit for a homer. … As far as inconsistencies, I just don’t know the answer. Sometimes he’s lights out, and other times he labors. It’s something we’ve got to dig into.”

Los Angeles will hope for the best with Kelly, but his demise gives Honeywell Jr. an avenue to reclaim his spot in the bullpen. The right-hander has put up an ERA of 2.45 over 25.2 innings of work for the Dodgers this season. He was just designated for assignment, but will now get another chance in the big leagues.

Honeywell Jr. was selected in the second round of the 2014 MLB Draft by the Tampa Bay Rays. However, injuries have taken over his career as he has had four arm surgeries in the last decade.

He has played for multiple organizations throughout his career, including the Rays, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres, Chicago White Sox, and now the Dodgers. Los Angeles would love nothing more than for Honeywell Jr. to fully stick in the big leagues this time around.

As the team heads into the final month of the season, having bullpen arms that they can count on becomes paramount in the Dodgers’ quest to win another World Series.

Photo Credit: Tim Vizer-USA TODAY Sports

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