Keone Kela RP

Kela (forearm) is scheduled to pitch as a reliever in Saturday's spring game against the Dodgers, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Kela dealt with forearm tightness over the final month of the 2020 season, but he'll make his spring debut with his new club Saturday. Barring any setbacks, the right-hander will presumably be able to build up in time for Opening Day.

Kela (forearm) signed a contract with the Padres on Sunday, Andersen Pickard of MLBDailyDish.com reports.

Kela missed the final month of the 2020 season due to forearm tightness, and it's not yet clear whether he's fully healthy. The terms of his deal with the Padres aren't known, but he should serve as a late reliever for his new club after posting a 2.27 ERA and 1.07 WHIP over 31.2 innings across the past two seasons with the Pirates.

The Pirates transferred Kela (forearm) from the 10-day injured list to the 45-day IL on Sunday.

Kela wasn't a candidate to rejoin the Pirates before Sunday's season finale in Cleveland, so his move to the 45-day IL was merely designed to open up a spot on the 40-man roster for catcher Andrew Susac. Viewed by many as the frontrunner to close for the Pirates this season, Kela was limited to just three appearances, as he missed time after testing positive for COVID-19 before being shut down with forearm tightness in August. He didn't record a save in any of those outings.

Kela (forearm) is playing light catch on flat ground but has shifted his focus to preparing for the offseason, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Kela has been on the injured list for nearly a month, and he won't return during the 2020 season as he continues to recover from right forearm tightness. It's unclear whether the right-hander will return in time for spring training in 2021 after making just three appearances this season.

Kela (forearm) continues to work toward his return, though the Pirates aren't sure he'll have time to do so before the end of the season, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The righty has missed nearly a month with forearm tightness, though he's been able to throw for almost two weeks. The Pirates haven't officially ruled him out for the year, but general manager Ben Cherington said Tuesday that "the calendar is starting to work against us a little bit."

Kela (forearm) has thrown off a mound, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Kela has been increasing his throwing program since suffering a forearm injury Aug. 21. The right-hander still hopes to return to the mound this season, but it's unclear when he could do so. The right-hander has made only three appearances during his injury-plagued season, but he could reclaim his closing role once he's healthy.

Kela (forearm) played catch from 120 feet Wednesday and could throw a bullpen session later this week, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

The 27-year-old landed on the injured list last week with right forearm tightness, but he wasn't prevented from throwing for too long. Kela is unlikely to be activated when eligible to return this weekend, but his return may not be far off with a successful bullpen session.

Kela was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday with right forearm tightness, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The move is retroactive to Aug. 24, so Kela could return as soon as Sept. 4, but given the nature of the injury, it's possible he won't return anytime soon. The Pirates said Kela was "available" Tuesday, which was either untrue or he suffered a setback. The back end of the bullpen has been decimated by injuries, so it's unclear who would get a save chance in the short term, but Richard Rodriguez might be the top option.

Kela (forearm) won't throw until the tightness in his arm resolves itself, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Medical staff director Todd Tomczyk said that Kela is taking part in advanced plyometric work that will prepare him to throw, but he has not played catch since his brief one-batter appearance at PNC Park on Friday. The team has no current timetable for his return.

Kela (forearm) still hasn't thrown since Friday, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

This does not align with recent reports that he is available out of the Pirates' bullpen. For now it seems we should consider him day-to-day.

Kelva (forearm) is available for Tuesday's game against the White Sox, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

The 27-year-old exited Friday's game with forearm tightness, but the team downplayed the injury and said he has no structural concerns. Kela still hasn't thrown since Friday, so the Pirates are likely to keep a close eye on him should he be called upon Tuesday. Richard Rodriguez earned one save over the weekend in his place, but Kela should operate as the closer as long as he's healthy.

Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said Sunday that the team isn't concerned about Kela's forearm injury, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Specifically, Cherington intimated that nothing is structurally wrong with Kela's right forearm/elbow, and the GM expressed optimism that the right-hander's injury was detected before it evolved into something more serious. The Pirates' reluctance to place Kela on the 10-day injured list since he exited Friday's win over the Brewers with the tight forearm seemingly supports the notion that his injury is viewed as a day-to-day concern. With another day to rest Monday while the Pirates are off the schedule, Kela may be ready to return to action as soon as Tuesday's game against the White Sox. While Kela was unavailable for Sunday's 5-4 win over the Brewers, Richard Rodriguez handled closing duties, retiring the side in the ninth inning to collect his first save of the season.

Kela (forearm) will be shut down for a few days and re-evaluated early next week, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The right-hander was removed from Friday's contest with forearm tightness, and he won't throw for at least a couple days after being evaluated Saturday. If Kela is shut down much beyond that, a trip to the injured list seems likely. Richard Rodriguez could receive some save chances for Pittsburgh.

Kela exited Friday's game against the Brewers with forearm tightness, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Kela came on to pitch the ninth inning Friday, but he only made it through five pitches before exiting with a trainer. Manager Derek Shelton said after the game that he was being "overly cautious," and that he didn't give Kela the option of whether or not to stay in the game. If the right-hander is forced to miss any additional time, Richard Rodriguez could get some save chances.

Kela pitched a scoreless inning in a 6-3 loss to Cleveland on Tuesday. He allowed no hits and one walk while striking out two batters.

His fastball registered a crisp 97 mph. Kela totaled 22 pitches (including 11 strikes) against the Indians, so he may not be available to pitch on back-to-back nights Wednesday. The impending free agent is one of the more likely Pittsburgh players to be traded by the deadline.

Kela (undisclosed) was activated from the injured list Thursday, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

As expected, Kela has been cleared to rejoin the Pirates after a positive COVID-19 test set him back to start the season. With Nick Burdi (elbow) out for the season, Kela should step in as the team's unquestioned closer. Miguel Del Pozo was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

Kela (illness) will be activated from the injured list ahead of the Pirates' upcoming series in Cincinnati, which begins Thursday, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

A positive COVID-19 test wiped out the entirety of Kela's summer camp, but he's been cleared to work out for the past 10 days and is now ready to play. He should be the team's unquestioned closer after potential challenger Nick Burdi was ruled out for the year with an elbow injury, though just how many saves are available for a team which has won just three games thus far this season remains to be seen.

The Pirates are expected to update the return timetable for Kela (COVID) on Wednesday, DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.

Kela threw an 18-pitch, live batting practice Tuesday. Depending on how he feels Wednesday, the right-hander could slot back into the closer role as soon as Thursday. With the trade deadline less than three weeks away, there's a good chance Kela is traded, provided he proves his health in the interim.

Kela (COVID-19) is scheduled to throw another live bullpen session in the next couple days, general manager Ben Cherington told 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh on Sunday.

Speaking on his weekly radio show, Cherington said the team is waiting to see how the right-hander responds to the live bullpen session he thew Saturday. The general manager added that he wants to make sure Kela is in a "good spot" before bringing him back. Despite the urgent need for an arm in Pittsburgh's bullpen, it doesn't sound as though Kela will be back until the second half of the week, at the earliest. Adding to the uncertainty is whether or not the Pirates' next opponent, the St. Louis Cardinals, will even be permitted to play in the coming days.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton said Monday that Kela (COVID-19) would serve as the team's closer upon returning from the injured list, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

The Pirates named Kela as their closer prior to spring training, but he was forced to the IL to begin the season after a positive COVID-19 test delayed his arrival to summer camp. Though Kela has since cleared all health-related protocols and is in the process of building up his arm for game action, the Pirates have yet to pinpoint a target date for his return. Fortunately for Kela, the Pirates' 2-9 start to the season has left the team's other late-inning relief options with few opportunities to test their mettle in save situations, so the 27-year-old should have a decent amount of leash at closer once activated.