Dodgers make Joe Kelly signing official

The Dodgers officially announced the signing of right-handed pitcher Joe Kelly to a three-year contract on Friday morning.

The 30-year-old Anaheim, California native is 43-25 with a 3.87 ERA in 250 career Major League games (79 starts) over seven seasons with St. Louis (2012-14) and Boston (2014-18).

Kelly told reporters on Friday that the first MLB game he ever attended was a Dodger game. He added that being close to his home and family, and having a chance to win every year were primary reasons why he signed with the Dodgers – not to mention the 3-year / $25 million contract with an option for 2022, of course.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

As a reliever, Kelly has posted a 3.29 ERA with a 1.27 WHIP, a .234 opponents’ batting average and 190 strikeouts in 194.0 innings in 171 games. In 21 career postseason relief appearances, Kelly has posted a 1.07 ERA and a 0.87 WHIP, while limiting opposing hitters to a .189 batting average.

In 2018, Kelly went 4-2 with a 4.39 ERA and two saves in 73 relief appearances with Boston. He was a key contributor for the Red Sox during their championship run after pitching in all five World Series games while not allowing a run and striking out 10 batters in 6.0 innings.

Kelly was originally selected by St. Louis in the third round of the 2009 MLB First-Year Player Draft out of the University of California, Riverside, where he set the team’s career saves record (24). He attended Corona High School in Corona, California.

Although Kelly’s exact role has yet to be specified, it is believed that he will be used primarily as a set-up man for Dodgers All-Star closer Kenley Jansen.

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(Article courtesy of LA Dodgers)

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3 Responses to “Dodgers make Joe Kelly signing official”

  1. Boxout7 says:

    Thanks Ron for your thoughts on all of Friday’s exciting Dodgers happenings.

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