Player Outlook
Joe Kelly compiled a 4.12 ERA and 1.19 WHIP while striking out 60 over 39.1 innings in 2023, though his numbers significantly improved after he was traded from the White Sox to the Dodgers in July. The 35-year-old impressed with his velocity, averaging 99 miles per hour on his sinker while while generating a career-best 35.7 percent strikeout rate. The Dodgers declined Kelly's $9.5 million club option for 2024, but recently re-signed him to a one-year, $8 million deal. It's unlikely Kelly receives many save opportunities in Los Angeles given the team's strong bullpen, but he should still receive a fair amount of work in high-leverage situations.

Fantasy Stats

Year fpts
Fantasy Points
fpts/g
Fantasy Points per Game
ip
Innings Pitched
w
Wins
l
Losses
sv
Saves
so
Strikeouts
bb
Base on Balls (Walk)
era
Earned Run Average
whip
Walks and Hits Allowed Per Inning
2024 — — — — — — — — 0.00 0.00
2023 771.8 39.3 2 5 1 60 18 4.12 1.19
2022 49.51.2 37.0 1 3 1 53 23 6.08 1.59
3y Avg. 811.8 40.0 2 3 1 54 19 4.28 1.25
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Fantasy Performance by Week
4%
Roster
3%
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Fantasy News

  • Dodgers' Joe Kelly: Returns to Dodgers

    Kelly signed a one-year contract with the Dodgers on Saturday, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports. The Dodgers declined Kelly's $9.5 million club option earlier in the offseason, but the team will retain the 35-year-old reliever -- likely at a lower salary. Kelly put up a 4.12 ERA and 1.19 WHIP across 39.1 innings in 2023, though his numbers significantly improved after being traded to Los Angeles from the White Sox in July (1.74 ERA, 0.87 WHIP in 10.1 innings). It's unlikely Kelly receives many save opportunities given his injury history and the Dodgers' already-strong bullpen, though he could still be used fairly often in high-leverage situations.
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  • Joe Kelly: Hitting open market

    The Dodgers declined Kelly's $9.5 million club option for 2024 on Sunday, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports. Kelly was acquired from the White Sox at the trade deadline but appeared in just 11 games for the Dodgers, though he pitched well with a 1.74 ERA and 19:6 K:BB over 10.1 innings. The decision comes with a $1 million buyout, and Los Angeles apparently believes it can better utilize that $8.5 million difference. Kelly's numbers with Chicago prior to the trade were less impressive, leading to a 4.12 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 42 appearances overall.
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  • Dodgers' Joe Kelly: Rusty in return

    Kelly (forearm) gave up two runs on two hits and two walks while striking out two over two-thirds of an inning in Wednesday's 6-1 loss to the Padres. Kelly had some trouble in the seventh inning after relieving starter Ryan Pepiot. Kelly walked the first two batters he faced, and both came around to score later on a Fernando Tatis single. After missing five weeks, a little rust could be expected from Kelly, who was eased into action in a low-leverage assignment. He's posted a 4.15 ERA, 1.85 WHIP and 50:17 K:BB through 33.1 innings while picking up a save, 12 holds and six blown saves this season. Evan Phillips and Brusdar Graterol figure to handle most of the save chances down the stretch and into the postseason.
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  • Dodgers' Joe Kelly: Activated from IL

    The Dodgers reinstated Kelly (forearm) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday. Kelly will return to the Dodgers' bullpen after a month-long stint on the IL with forearm inflammation. The 35-year-old has thrown 3.2 scoreless innings since rejoining the Dodgers in late July, and he could see a handful of high-leverage opportunities before the regular season comes to an end. Kyle Hurt was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.
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  • Dodgers' Joe Kelly: Aims to return Wednesday

    Manager Dave Roberts said he's hoping Kelly (forearm/elbow) can return Wednesday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports. Kelly is scheduled to begin a minor-league rehab assignment Friday with Low-A Rancho Cucamonga and will make a couple of appearances before potentially returning to the Dodgers' bullpen. The veteran reliever has been sidelined since Aug. 13 due to elbow and forearm inflammation.
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  • Dodgers' Joe Kelly: Starting rehab assignment

    Kelly (forearm/elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with Low-A Rancho Cucamonga on Friday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports. Kelly has been on the shelf for nearly a month with inflammation in his right forearm and elbow. The hard-throwing reliever is expected back early next week.
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  • Dodgers' Joe Kelly: On track for early next week

    Kelly (forearm) is on track to be activated from the 15-day injured list early next week, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports. Kelly has completed multiple successful bullpen sessions since suffering a minor setback in late August and is expected to return to action during the Dodgers' upcoming three-game series against the Padres, which begins Monday. The veteran reliever landed on the injured list Aug. 13 due to right forearm inflammation.
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  • Dodgers' Joe Kelly: Another throwing session Tuesday

    Kelly (forearm) will throw another bullpen session or a simulated game Tuesday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports. It will come after Kelly got through a 20-pitch bullpen session Friday without issue. He will need a rehab assignment before returning from his right forearm inflammation, but it shouldn't be too much longer if he continues to progress.
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  • Dodgers' Joe Kelly: Tosses 20-pitch bullpen

    Kelly (forearm) threw about 20 pitches in a bullpen session Friday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports. Kelly reportedly used his entire pitch mix in the session, which is a good indication that he is progressing well in his recovery from forearm inflammation. Per the Associated Press, the veteran reliever touched the mid-90s on his fastball, approaching the upper-90s velocity he's hovered around this season. Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic previously reported that Kelly could face hitters as soon as this coming Tuesday.
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  • Dodgers' Joe Kelly: Bullpen session, sim game on tap

    Kelly (forearm) will throw a bullpen session Friday and progress to a simulated game Tuesday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports. Kelly was reportedly battling forearm discomfort during his bullpen session Friday, but he was able to throw another session Tuesday with no issues. The Dodgers will determine Kelly's next steps based on his performance following Tuesday's sim game, and there is still a good chance the veteran reliever is able to return before the end of the regular season.
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  • Dodgers' Joe Kelly: Bullpen session on tap

    Kelly (forearm) will throw a bullpen session Friday, Matthew Moreno of DodgerBlue.com reports. Kelly landed on the injured list Sunday due to inflammation in his right forearm and is set to resume throwing off a mound after nearly a week. Kelly will still have to remain out for at least another week following his bullpen session Friday.
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  • Dodgers' Joe Kelly: Placed on injured list

    The Dodgers placed Kelly on the 15-day injured list Sunday with right forearm inflammation. Sunday marks the third time Kelly has landed on the injured list this season, with his previous trip coming as a result of right elbow inflammation in July. The 35-year-old righty has thrown 3.2 scoreless frames since being traded to the Dodgers and will be eligible to return from the IL on Aug. 25.
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  • Dodgers' Joe Kelly: Back in L.A.

    The White Sox traded Kelly and Lance Lynn to the Dodgers on Friday in exchange for Trayce Thompson (oblique), Nick Nastrini and Jordan Leasure, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports. Kelly spent three seasons with the Dodgers between 2019 and 2021, recording a 3.59 ERA and 1.22 WHIP through 105.1 innings. His numbers this season haven't quite been at the same level, but the Dodgers have developed a reputation for getting the most out of veteran pitchers. That being said, Kelly likely won't see nearly as many high-leverage situations with his new club as he did with the White Sox.
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  • White Sox's Joe Kelly: Dodgers reunion close

    The White Sox are nearing a deal to send Kelly to the Dodgers along with Lance Lynn, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports. After putting up a 4.97 ERA and 1.31 WHIP through 29 innings with the White Sox, Kelly seems poised to rejoin the Dodgers' bullpen after one and a half seasons in Chicago. Assuming the deal goes through, Kelly will likely be used primarily in middle relief by Los Angeles.
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  • White Sox's Joe Kelly: Activated from injured list

    Kelly (elbow) was activated from the 15-day injured list Saturday, LaMond Pope of the Chicago Tribune reports. Kelly wound up missing just a little over the minimum 15 days with right elbow inflammation. The veteran reliever holds a 4.82 ERA this season, although that's come with a 37:10 K:BB over 28 innings.
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  • White Sox's Joe Kelly: Throws bullpen session

    Kelly (elbow) threw a bullpen session Sunday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. Kelly has been on the shelf since July 6 with right elbow inflammation, and he projects to return from the injured list when first eligible Thursday. The 35-year-old reliever holds a 4.82 ERA and 1.25 WHIP through 28 innings this season alongside 10 holds and six blown saves.
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  • White Sox's Joe Kelly: Heads to IL with sore elbow

    Kelly was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday with right elbow inflammation, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports. Kelly closed out June on a strong note but allowed two runs in each of his first two appearances in July. Now he'll be down for at least the next couple weeks. Nicholas Padilla is taking his spot in the bullpen.
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  • White Sox's Joe Kelly: Six straight scoreless appearances

    Kelly threw a scoreless seventh inning while allowing a hit and a walk Thursday against the Angels. Kelly entered the game in the seventh inning, the first reliever after Lance Lynn was lifted. He successfully held the lead and turned in his sixth consecutive scoreless outing, during which he has picked up two holds and maintained a 6:3 K:BB. Though he's been effective for most of the campaign, Kelly has only one save and looks to be behind Kendall Graveman for save chances with Liam Hendriks (elbow) sidelined.
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  • White Sox's Joe Kelly: Blows save Sunday

    Kelly blew the save Sunday against the Tigers, allowing one run on one hit during the ninth inning. He struck out two and did not issue a walk. Kendall Graveman operated as the setup man Sunday, allowing Kelly to earn a save chance, but the latter couldn't secure the win as Javier Baez tied the game in the ninth with an RBI groundout after Riley Greene ripped a one-out triple. Kelly made two appearances during the four-game series against the Tigers and allowed four runs across 1.1 innings. He now holds an ugly 4.60 ERA and has blown three of his four save chances, but his 0.89 WHIP and 21:1 K:BB over 15.2 innings are encouraging. Either way, Kelly isn't expected to get too many more opportunities as a closer with Liam Hendriks (illness) likely returning to the bullpen Monday.
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  • White Sox's Joe Kelly: Picks up save

    Kelly picked up the save Sunday against the Royals. He struck out two over one perfect inning. Kelly was handed the ball by manager Pedro Grifol for the ninth inning Sunday with Kendall Graveman getting the night off after pitching an inning each of the last two days. Though Kelly blew his only other save opportunity, he has remained a high-leverage arm for the White Sox but likely won't receive enough save opportunities to warrant fantasy consideration, especially once Liam Hendriks (illness) returns from the 15-day injured list.
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