Prior to the Los Angeles Dodgers holding their first full-squad workout of 2021 Spring Training, manager Dave Roberts revealed that Joe Kelly, Mitch White and Nolan Long were a little behind due to various arm injuries.
Kelly has since resumed playing catch and appears to be making progress. “Joe is moving around, think he played catch today,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Monday.
“So Joe is kind of on track. Nothing new to report on Mitchell White. I know Nolan Long just had a little soreness after his ‘pen, but probably just normal Spring Training soreness. Nothing of note really.”
Now as the Dodgers wrap up their first week of full-squad workouts, Roberts provided another update on Kelly. “Joe is moving in the right direction,” Roberts said after the right-hander threw an estimated 10 pitches off a mound.
“I think there’s three-in-a-row throw days and then an off day. He’s getting back on track.”
While that was a step in the right direction, Kelly was not part of workouts Friday due to feeling under the weather. Roberts said Kelly went into Camelback Ranch for testing and medication before returning home to rest.
Kelly is entering the final guaranteed year on his contract, which includes a $12 million club option and $4 million buyout for 2022. His tenure with the Dodgers has produced uneven results and a prior instance of injury.
Kelly dealt with what Roberts described as general soreness during the final month of the 2019 regular season and into the playoffs. After the Dodgers were eliminated by the Washington Nationals in the National League Division Series, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman revealed Kelly suffered from knee and quad issues that led to arm soreness.
The 2020 season wasn’t much of an improvement for Kelly, who missed nearly six weeks due to shoulder inflammation and having to serve a five-game suspension for his role in the heated exchange with Carlos Correa and the Astros.
In 12 games, Kelly posted a 1.80 ERA, 3.49 FIP and 1.50 WHIP with nine strikeouts over 10 innings pitched. He made five additional appearances in the postseason, allowing one run across 3.2 innings of work.
No timetable for Kelly, White
While Kelly appears to be inching closer to getting back on the mound, Roberts did not provide a timetable for his return. As for White, he is even further away from pitching again.
“Mitchell is still kind of just nursing that arm,” Roberts said. He’s going to be slower, and we’ve just got to make sure he stays healthy.”
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