The Los Angeles Dodgers transferred Joe Kelly to the 60-day injured list as part multiple moves before Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Royals.
J.P. Feyereisen and Michael Petersen joined the Dodgers roster with Yoshinobu Yamamoto (right triceps tightness) and Michael Grove (right intercostal strain) both going on the 15-day IL. In transferring Kelly, the Dodgers made room to add Petersen to their 40-man roster.
Kelly had been on the 15-day injured list since May 6 because of a right posterior shoulder strain. The Dodgers’ initial belief was Kelly’s injury would not keep him out for an extended period of time.
He started playing catch nearly two weeks later but as of the beginning of June, manager Dave Roberts said Kelly and Ryan Brasier both were multiple weeks away from returning. Kelly nevertheless did manage to throw a second bullpen session last week.
Kelly faced one batter in his last appearance before going on the injured list, collecting a strikeout against the Atlanta Braves. That gave him a sixth consecutive game without allowing a run.
Kelly dealt with some early trouble this season that led to an inflated ERA but settled in for the rest of April and into May. Overall this season he’s pitched to a 4.73 ERA, 2.62 FIP and 1.35 WHIP across 15 appearances.
The Dodgers re-signed Kelly during the offseason to a one-year, $8 million contract. When healthy, the 36-year-old is among the options for manager Dave Roberts to utilize in high-leverage situations.
Kelly’s injury and absence has been further magnified by the Dodgers also being without Brasier and Brusdar Graterol. Evan Phillips additionally spent time on the 15-day injured list in May.
When can Joe Kelly return?
The earliest date Kelly can be activated off the 60-day IL is Friday, July 5.
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