Kelley's club option for 2020 was declined by the Rangers on Thursday, making him a free agent, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.
The 35-year-old previously said he would retire if the team declined his option for next season after posting a 4.94 ERA with a 43:11 K:BB over 47.1 innings pitched in 2019. If Kelley does call it a career, he'll finish with a 3.80 ERA and 521 strikeouts over 11 seasons.
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Rangers' Shawn Kelley: Returns to action
Rotowire
Kelly (groin) allowed three runs on three hits and one walk while striking out one over one inning in Friday's 14-7 loss to the Yankees.
Kelly made his first appearance since exiting a game against the Red Sox on Tuesday.
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Rangers' Shawn Kelley: Exits with groin tightness
Rotowire
Kelley left Tuesday's game against the Red Sox with right groin tightness.
He gave up one run on one hit and two walks while recording two outs prior to exiting. Kelley should be day-to-day going forward and may not pitch again this season.
Kelley allowed two runs on two hits in one inning during Tuesday's 3-0 loss to the Blue Jays.
Kelley gave up back-to-back home runs in the sixth inning. That, coupled with the Rangers' cold bats, sealed the deal for Toronto. Kelley, the Rangers' one-time closer, has moved back to a setup role since coming off the injured list but has not performed well. In three outings since his return from a biceps injury, the right-handed reliever has ceded five runs on six hits and two walks.
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Rangers' Shawn Kelley: Reinstated from IL
Rotowire
The Rangers activated Kelley (biceps) from the 10-day injured list ahead of Wednesday's doubleheader with the Indians.
Before he was forced to the IL on July 22 with biceps soreness, Kelley had acted as the Rangers' primary closer, nabbing 11 saves in 15 chances to go with a 3.00 ERA and 1.15 WHIP. Though Kelley is healthy again, he'll be relegated to a setup role with the non-contending Rangers prepared to stick with Jose Leclerc as their top ninth-inning option. Leclerc has endured a rough 2019 campaign, but he seems to have recaptured the trust of the Rangers' brass by compiling a 3.60 ERA while notching two saves over his 12 appearances since the All-Star break. The four-year extension Leclerc inked in March should also enhance his job security, making it unlikely Kelley regains the closing gig barring an injury to Leclerc or a major collapse on the latter's part.
Kelley (biceps) will pitch in a setup role when he returns from the injured list, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.
Kelley had recorded 11 saves, a 3.00 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP when he landed on the injured list in late July. Since then, Jose Leclerc, who started the season as the Rangers' closer, has moved back into the role, and he's pitched well enough to keep it. Leclerc's had his ups and downs this year, so there's certainly a chance Kelley finds himself back in the ninth-inning role before the season ends.
Rangers' Shawn Kelley: Sidelined with biceps injury
Rotowire
Kelley was placed on the 10-day injured list with right biceps muscle soreness Monday.
Kelley suffered the injury while warming up during Sunday's game against the Astros, and while an MRI showed no acute injury, the veteran reliever will still be forced to miss at least 10 days due to the injury. Rafael Montero was promoted in a corresponding move. The Rangers have yet to announce who will temporarily replace Kelley as the team's closer, though Jose Leclerc and Chris Martin are both possible options.
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Rangers' Shawn Kelley: Feels soreness in biceps
Rotowire
The injury Kelley suffered while warming up during the eighth inning of Sunday's game is described as soreness in his right biceps tendon, Alyson Footer of MLB.com reports.
Kelley returned to the dugout without throwing a pitch and will undergo further evaluation. "We're going to find out more about that," Woodward said. "He's going to get an MRI hopefully soon. I have my fingers crossed that it's not as bad as we think." If he misses significant time, the Rangers will need to identify a new closer.
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Rangers' Shawn Kelley: Suffers injury on warmup pitch
Rotowire
Kelley left Sunday's game against the Astros after suffering an injury on a warmup pitch, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
The nature of Kelley's injury has yet to be revealed, but it's worth noting he received a cortisone shot last week, per Grant. He'll be considered day-to-day until further notice. Jose Leclerc could be in line for more save opportunities if Kelley is forced to miss an extended period of time.
Rangers' Shawn Kelley: Gives up runs in rusty appearance
Rotowire
Kelley allowed two runs on three hits while striking out two in Saturday's 7-4 loss to the Twins.
The Rangers have not been involved in contests that require a traditional closer of late, so Kelley pitched for the first time in nine days. Although he threw 17 of his 22 pitches for strikes, the lack of use showed in his missed location, resulting in three consecutive hard-hit balls.
