Free-agent right-handed reliever Joe Kelly (shoulder), who suffered a shoulder injury last September while with the Los Angeles Dodgers that forced him to miss the team's World Series run, acknowledged that he might retire. The 36-year-old remains open to pitching this year and continues to progress through a throwing program, but he's uncertain if he'll pitch in 2025. "I'm not 100 percent yet," Kelly said. "I want to see if I get to 100 percent." Kelly was 1-1 with a 4.78 ERA in 35 appearances out of the bullpen for the Blue last year and has gone 54-38 with a 3.98 ERA and seven saves in 485 career games (81 starts). He's pretty much done at all at this point, winning three World Series rings -- in 2020 and 2024 with the Dodgers and in 2018 with the Boston Red Sox. If Kelly does pitch in 2025, it won't be at the start of the season, and it would most likely be with the Dodgers.

Free-agent relief pitcher Joe Kelly (shoulder) noted on the Dodgers Beat podcast that he will either return to Los Angeles or retire. His decision will come down to his health, as he is currently recovering from a shoulder injury that cut his 2024 campaign short. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status throughout the offseason, as his health will dictate the future of his professional career. The 36-year-old was limited to just 32 innings of work last season and held a 4.78 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. He struck out 35 batters but posted a high 11.2% walk rate. In 2023, the right-hander had a similar 4.12 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. If Kelly were to move past this injury and return to the Dodgers for the 2025 campaign, he would likely continue to see time as a middle reliever, as he tallied 13 holds last season.

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitchers Brusdar Graterol (shoulder) and Joe Kelly (shoulder) will not be available to pitch in the NLCS, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Graterol has been on the injured list since the end of September with right-shoulder inflammation. Kelly suffered a shoulder injury during a simulated game and has not taken the mound since Sept. 27. However, both pitchers could be in the mix to return in the World Series. The Dodgers will also likely be without Alex Vesia (back) in this series. As a result, DFS managers should expect Blake Treinen to see a majority of the save opportunities after picking up two in the NLDS, with Daniel Hudson, Evan Phillips, and Michael Kopech also having high-leverage roles.

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Michael Grove was named to the NLDS roster, while right-handed pitcher Joe Kelly (shoulder) was left off as he suffered a shoulder injury during a simulated game earlier this week. Grove has typically been deployed out of the bullpen this summer and has logged just two starts. Across 51 frames, Grove held a 5.12 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP, with a 16:54 BB:K ratio. Grove could be deployed in long relief or even in a spot start during the series. Joe Kelly operated exclusively out of the bullpen this season and posted a 4.78 ERA and 1.47 WHIP. Kelly was typically given set-up duties during the 2024 campaign but battled a shoulder injury late into the season. As a result, DFS players should expect Evan Phillips, Michael Kopech, and Alex Vesia to be called upon in high-leverage situations during their tilt against the San Diego Padres.

Los Angeles Dodgers relievers Joe Kelly (shoulder) and Brusdar Graterol (shoulder) are both on track to return by the end of July, according to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. Kelly is expected to return after the All-Star break, and Graterol will likely return closer to the end of the month. Kelly has missed all of June and most of May with a right posterior shoulder strain, while Graterol has not made an appearance in the 2024 season while dealing with right-shoulder inflammation. Both will be welcome additions to a Dodgers bullpen that already holds the fourth-best bullpen ERA in the league at 3.33 coming into Friday. Kelly has been subpar in 2024 with a 4.73 ERA but would likely be able to eat up the middle innings of games. Graterol will greatly help the back end of the Dodgers bullpen when he returns after posting a sub-1.00 WHIP in back-to-back seasons. Fantasy managers should look to prioritize adding Graterol to their lineups.

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Joe Kelly (shoulder) will begin his minor-league rehab assignment on Tuesday with an appearance for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga. It's good news that Kelly has finally started a rehab assignment, but manager Dave Roberts said over the weekend that Kelly was unlikely to return to the big-league bullpen before the All-Star break in mid-July. It makes sense with the 36-year-old veteran reliever having been out with a right-shoulder strain for almost two full months. At best, Kelly will be an option for fantasy managers in deep holds leagues. He only has seven career saves in 13 major-league seasons and had a bloated 4.73 ERA (2.64 FIP) and 1.35 WHIP with 14 strikeouts and five walks for the Dodgers in 13 1/3 innings out of the bullpen before injuring his right shoulder.

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Joe Kelly (shoulder) won't be ready to return before the All-Star break, according to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. The right-hander has been on the injured list since early May due to a shoulder issue. The 36-year-old will require a rehab assignment before returning. Once he returns, Kelly figures to pitch in high-leverage situations, but won't have much fantasy value because he's not the closer.

As of Friday, Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed reliever Joe Kelly (shoulder) was throwing out from 90 feet, but manager Dave Roberts said that Kelly was on a "slow program" and a return from the injured list was not imminent. Kelly was unexpectedly placed on the 15-day injured list before the May 6 game against the Miami Marlins. The 35-year-old veteran will need to start throwing off a mound again first before eventually going on a short minor-league rehab assignment. Even though Kelly's return has been slowed, as long as he doesn't suffer a setback, he should be able to return before the start of July. Kelly is really only fantasy relevant in deep holds leagues. So far in 2024, he's recorded a 4.73 ERA and 1.35 WHIP with five walks and 14 strikeouts in 13 1/3 innings out of LA's bullpen.

Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed reliever Joe Kelly (shoulder) started a throwing program on Monday. Kelly has resumed throwing after being put on the 15-day injured list on May 6 with a right-shoulder strain. Even though the 35-year-old veteran will likely require a minor-league rehab assignment before returning to the Dodgers' bullpen, it should be a short one, barring a setback with his shoulder. Kelly isn't really a candidate for saves in LA -- he has just seven in his 13-year MLB career -- but he's a valuable right-handed setup man in the Dodgers' bullpen when he's healthy and could have some appeal in deep holds leagues. Before his shoulder injury, Kelly had allowed eight runs (seven earned) on 13 hits while walking five and striking out 14 in 13 1/3 relief innings.

The Los Angeles Dodgers placed right-hander Joe Kelly (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list on Monday with a "right posterior shoulder strain." The move cleared a spot for right-hander Walker Buehler (elbow) to be activated from the IL. Kelly doesn't think the injury will keep him out for long, but that doesn't mean he will be ready to return once his stay on the 15-day IL is up. The 35-year-old reliever also dealt with a groin injury recently. The Dodgers' bullpen has taken a hit in recent days with both Kelly and closer Evan Phillips (hamstring) going on the shelf. With Phillips out, expect the Dodgers to move to a closer-by-committee, with players such as Daniel Hudson, Blake Treinen and Alex Vesia being candidates for save opportunities. Kelly has a 4.73 ERA and 1.35 WHIP with five walks and 14 K's in 13 1/3 relief innings so far in 2024.

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Joe Kelly could be asked to pitch in a higher leverage role for a few weeks. The organization recently placed closer Evan Phillips (hamstring) on the injured list. It sounds like the timetable for Phillips is around two weeks, so the Dodgers will need someone to step up for a few weeks. Daniel Hudson and Blake Treinen figure to be the primary options, but Kelly should be in the mix too. Fantasy managers might want to wait and see how the Dodgers play this situation before grabbing one of these relievers.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that relief pitcher Joe Kelly (groin) tweaked his right groin fielding a grounder in Tuesday night's loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks, but he stayed in to finish the innings. The Dodgers plan to see how Kelly is feeling on Wednesday, but he likely wasn't going to be available anyway. The 35-year-old veteran right-hander picked up his seventh hold of the year on Tuesday by tossing a clean inning while giving up one hit and striking out one. Kelly is only valuable in deep holds leagues and isn't in the closing picture in LA. In his 13 appearances out of the Dodgers' bullpen so far this year, he's sporting a 5.25 ERA (2.75 FIP), 1.50 WHIP, five walks and 13 strikeouts in 12 innings.

Free-agent reliever Joe Kelly is close to signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya and FanSided's Robert Murray. The hard-throwing veteran posted a 4.12 ERA, 1.195 WHIP, and 60:18 K/BB ratio over 39 1/3 innings between the White Sox and the Dodgers last season. Kelly was traded to Los Angeles at last season's deadline but had his $9.5 million team option declined at the end of the year. The Dodgers will likely bring him back for less money now.

The Los Angeles Dodgers activated relief pitcher Joe Kelly (forearm) from the injured list on Wednesday and optioned rookie right-hander Kyle Hurt back to Triple-A Oklahoma City in a corresponding move. Hurt, the team's No. 12 prospect per MLB Pipeline, looked good in his major-league debut out of the bullpen on Tuesday night against the San Diego Padres, tossing two scoreless and hitless innings while striking out three. The 35-year-old Kelly is returning after missing a month with right-forearm inflammation. He returned to the Dodgers in a trade with the Chicago White Sox and should hold down a late-inning role in LA's bullpen for the rest of the season and playoffs. In 32 2/3 total innings in 2023, Kelly has a 4.41 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, one save and 48 K's in 35 relief appearances.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that relief pitcher Joe Kelly (forearm) threw around 20 pitches in a bullpen session on Friday and used his whole pitch mix. It's unclear what the next step for Kelly will be. If Kelly feels good this weekend, he could move to facing hitters early next week. The 35-year-old hard-throwing right-hander made his last appearance in relief for the Dodgers on Aug. 9, so he could need a short minor-league rehab assignment before the Dodgers have him rejoin their bullpen to close out the regular season. In his four relief outings for the Blue since being acquired from the Chicago White Sox at the trade deadline, Kelly has tossed 3 2/3 scoreless frames while giving up a hit, walking three and striking out seven with one hold.

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Joe Kelly (forearm) is set to throw a bullpen session on Friday. The right-hander has been out for over two weeks while battling forearm discomfort. The hope is that Kelly will be able to progress to a simulated game on Tuesday, assuming everything goes well during Friday's bullpen session. It sounds like Kelly is on track to return to the bullpen before the end of the regular season. The 35-year-old was pitching well for the Dodgers before going down, so they would certainly love to have him back in a high-leverage spot out of the bullpen.

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Joe Kelly (forearm) has been placed on the injured list, retroactive August 10. The 35-year-old is dealing with right forearm inflammation, so the team will give him some time off to rest. The right-hander has not allowed a run in four appearances since being acquired at the trade deadline. The team is hopeful that Kelly will be able to return by the end of August. The Dodgers haven't announced a corresponding move with Kelly heading to the injured list.

Updating a previous report, the Los Angeles Dodgers have finalized a deal to acquire starting pitcher Lance Lynn and relief pitcher Joe Kelly from the Chicago White Sox. It appears Chicago is ready to unload their roster after trading right-handers Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez to the Los Angeles Angels earlier this week. Lynn will officially waive his no-trade clause in order to go to a contending team. He has been roughed up this season with a 6.47 ERA, 1.46 WHIP through 22 starts. Kelly is expected to be used as a late-inning option for the Dodgers. It's uncertain at the moment what the White Sox are going to get in return for these pitchers.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have recently shown interest in Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Lance Lynn. The two sides have been reportedly discussing a trade this week and it appears they're close to a deal. The trade would also reportedly include right-handed relief pitcher Joe Kelly. Lynn has a good track record, but has been having a tough time this season. He holds a 6.47 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and has allowed a league-high 130 hits this season. Kelly has been a better than Lynn, but honestly that doesn't take much. Kelly has a 4.97 ERA, 1.31 WHIP with 41/12 K/BB ratio through 29 innings. It's uncertain what the White Sox would potentially get back as a return in this deal.

Chicago White Sox reliever Joe Kelly was activated from the 15-day injured list on Saturday. The veteran hurler was on the shelf for over two weeks while dealing with elbow inflammation. He was working in high-leverage situations, primarily as a setup man, before he landed on the injured list. Kelly owns a 4.82 ERA, 1.250 WHIP, and 37:10 K/BB ratio over 28 innings (28 appearances). His name has been floated around in trade rumors recently, so the White Sox will likely get him some work to prove his health over the coming days. Veteran reliever Bryan Shaw was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.