The Red Sox are intent on keeping Joe Kelly in their starting rotation and trying to further his development, according to WEEI.
The good news is that Kelly hasn't lost any velocity. He has thrown more 98 mph-plus pitches than any other starter in the majors this season. The bad news is that it hasn't translated into success. He owns a 1-2 record and 6.35 ERA heading into his Thursday night start in Seattle.
"Nothing mechanical," John Farrell said in regard to Kelly's struggles. "He's a good athlete that repeats his delivery and yet he yanked a number of pitches down to his glove side the other day in Toronto. It's still about Joe Kelly understanding what makes him most efficient. ... Ultimately it's in those moments in making pitch selections that are based on what's led up to that. Whether it's too many consecutive fastballs, too many consecutive breaking balls - there's a constant mix that needs to stay in play."
The 26-year-old Kelly has claimed that pitching was easier in St. Louis with defensive stalwart Yadier Molina calling all his offerings. It's not the same throwing to Red Sox rookie Blake Swihart.
"Yadier just threw out a sign and I threw it," Kelly said. "It was great. But now I'm actually better at reading games, knowing situations, I do my own scouting and I do my own video. I did a little bit of it in St. Louis, but it's more of me trying to read and watch. My stats don't show, but I feel like I'm better at it."
There has been talk of moving Kelly to the bullpen, but the former college closer has stressed that he prefers starting.