Kelly has allowed one run on five hits without a walk while striking out 11 in eight innings since he was optioned back to Triple-A Pawtucket at the beginning of August.
Given the precarious state of Boston's relievers leading up to closer Craig Kimbrel, Kelly seems like he could help, but while manager John Farrell acknowledged to Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe how well he's throwing, the manager added "there are some limitations how we get him here right now." The implication being that Kelly will come back to Boston when rosters expand Sept. 1.