Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Joe Kelly is contemplating retirement due to a gradual restoration from a shoulder damage. The veteran shared an replace on his free company course of through the Baseball Isn’t Boring podcast.
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“I’m not one hundred pc but,” Kelly stated. “I need to see if I get to one hundred pc.”
Kelly, 36, missed the Dodgers’ run by means of the postseason because of a shoulder damage. He additionally missed two months earlier within the 2024 season because of an damage to the identical shoulder.
Kelly went 1-1 and produced a 4.78 ERA in 35 appearances for the Dodgers final season. In his second stint with L.A., the Southern California native restricted opponents to 31 hits whereas hanging out 35 batters throughout 32 innings.
Kelly believes he’ll attain one hundred pc, but when he doesn’t, the three-time World Collection champion will doubtless dangle up his jersey. The reliever is at the moment a free agent.
“Ultimately,” Kelly stated when requested about getting wholesome. “We’ll see. And if I don’t, then f— it. However I need to get there first” earlier than reaching out to groups about signing a contract for 2025.
Even when Kelly decides to pitch in 2025, there is no such thing as a assure the Dodgers will add the veteran to the bullpen given the loaded roster. As of now, L.A.’s eight-man bullpen consists of Evan Phillips, Michael Kopech, Kirby Yates, Blake Treinen, Tanner Scott, Alex Vesia, and Anthony Banda.
It’s vital to notice Phillips and Kopech will doubtless be on the injured listing to open the season, which leaves three vacant spots. Different candidates to fill a job within the bullpen embody Tony Gonsolin and Dustin Might. Relying on who wins the No. 5 starter slot within the rotation, the opposite will doubtless find yourself pitching in reduction.
Earlier this offseason, Kelly made it sound like it will be Dodgers or bust when it comes to taking part in someplace in 2025.
“I’m content material throughout. We have now a superb relationship. Like I stated, as soon as I’m wholesome, it’s kinda like Clayton (Kershaw’s) deal, there is just one spot we are going to come again to,” Kell stated. “It’s both that or, you recognize, if my physique doesn’t heal in addition to it desires to, then you definitely by no means know. So we’ll see.”
Whether or not the Dodgers re-sign Kelly or not, the veteran reliever has a lot of iconic moments in a Dodgers uniform.
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Photograph Credit score: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Photographs
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