The Red Sox optioned Kelly to Triple-A Worcester on Saturday, Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe reports.
Kelly gave up three earned runs without recording an out during Friday's loss to the Yankees, inflating his ERA to 3.97 across 56.2 innings. He'll now head back to Triple-A, though there's still a possibility he makes another appearance in the majors before the season ends. He'll be joined in Worcester by Cam Booser while Bailey Horn and Zach Penrod come up from the minors to fill the open bullpen spots.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Zack Kelly: Bound for Worcester
Rotowire
The Red Sox will option Kelly to Triple-A Worcester on Saturday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
The decision to send Kelly down to the minors comes shortly after he allowed three earned runs on a hit and two walks without recording an out in Friday's 5-4 loss to the Yankees. The 29-year-old righty owns a 3.97 ERA through 56.2 big-league innings on the year and could still return to Boston to help the Sox get through the final weeks of the regular season.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Zack Kelly: Tosses three scoreless frames
Rotowire
Kelly did not factor in the decision Monday against Toronto after issuing two walks over three scoreless innings as the opener. He struck out four batters during the loss.
Kelly retired the first seven batters he faced before walking a pair in the third inning. He worked around the traffic before turning the ball over to Justin Slaten in the fourth inning. Kelly matched his longest MLB outing by recording nine outs and dropped his ERA to 2.58 across 52.1 innings. He's turned in 5.2 straight scoreless frames after yielding an earned run in each of his previous three appearances.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Zack Kelly: Opening Monday's game
Rotowire
Kelly will serve as the Red Sox's opening pitcher for Monday's game against the Blue Jays, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.
Over his 48 appearances between Boston and Triple-A Worcester this season, Kelly hasn't covered more than three innings on any occasion, and he hasn't recorded more than three outs in any outing since July 22. As such, Kelly shouldn't be expected to work more than once through the batting order before exiting the contest. Cooper Criswell is available on four days' rest and Brad Keller is available on two days' rest as potential bulk-relief options behind Kelly.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Zack Kelly: Coughs up lead
Rotowire
Kelly allowed two runs (one earned) on one hit while striking out three over two innings in Monday's 9-8 extra-innings loss to Colorado.
Kelly breezed through the ninth inning of a tie game but gave up a game-tying home run in the bottom of the 10th. It was the fourth lead Boston's bullpen has blown during its road trip to begin the second half -- the 'pen went on to blow a fifth lead in 12th inning when the Rockies walked it off. Kelly has pitched well, but he's been forced into higher-leverage spots with two late-game options injured and closer Kenley Jansen not making the trip due to a pre-existing heart condition that gets exacerbated by high altitude.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Zack Kelly: Scoreless outing as opener
Rotowire
Kelly allowed a hit over 2.2 shutout innings as the opener during Sunday's win over the Reds. He struck out three batters.
Boston used eight pitchers in the victory, and Kelly set the tone early with a strong performance. He's given up just one run over his last 11.2 innings, lowering his season ERA to 1.59 through 28.1 frames. Kelly is 2-1 with four holds this season.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Zack Kelly: Opening Sunday
Rotowire
Kelly will serve as the Red Sox's opening pitcher for Sunday's game against Cincinnati, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.
Kelly will make his second start of the season Sunday, likely throwing only 1-to-2 innings before handing the ball off. It's unclear if the Red Sox will commit to a full bullpen game or utilize a bulk reliever, though Chase Anderson would be the likely option to work extended innings behind Kelly if Boston elects to go that route.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Zack Kelly: Escapes massive jam in win
Rotowire
Kelly struck out two over a scoreless inning and stranded three runners in Sunday's 9-3 win over the Yankees.
For the second time in the series, Kelly was a Yankee stopper. After retiring all six batters faced Friday, the right-hander entered Sunday's contest with the bases loaded and none out in a one-run game. He struck out the first two batters before getting a line out to center field. Kelly was facing the bottom third of New York's lineup, but the Houdini escape act was no less impressive. He's struck out 12 over 7.1 innings since being called up from Triple-A Worcester.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Zack Kelly: Bright spot in loss
Rotowire
Kelly struck out three over two hitless and scoreless innings in Friday's 8-1 loss to the Yankees.
Kelly was the one of the good things to come out of Friday's loss. He's a pitcher that manager Alex Cora can rely on in multiple situations. "He can go multiple innings, and I think he starts with strike throwing," Cora told Sarah Barber of The Boston Globe. "Strike throwing, I think that's the most important thing." Since his return from Triple-A Worcester, the right-hander has allowed one run, no hits and three walks while striking out 10. Walks could be an issue. Although he's been better in that regard since his return, Kelly has walked 5.1 batters per nine innings this season.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Zack Kelly: Set to open Sunday's bullpen game
Rotowire
Kelly is scheduled to start Sunday's game against the White Sox in what's expected to be a bullpen day.
Unless they bring aboard another pitcher from Triple-A Worcester to serve as a bulk reliever, the Red Sox look set to lean on a number of arms for the series finale in Chicago once Kelly exits the game. Kelly recorded one out in Saturday's 6-1 loss and hasn't exceeded three innings in any of his 20 appearances this season between the majors and Triple-A, so he shouldn't be expected to work more than once through the batting order in his first big-league start. Brennan Bernardino, Justin Slaten and Cam Booser are all available on at least two days' rest and should all be capable of giving the Red Sox two or more innings out of the bullpen, if needed.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Zack Kelly: Getting promoted
Rotowire
The Red Sox plan to call up Kelly from Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.
Boston optioned Kelly to the minors May 26, but he'll be eligible to rejoin the team in fewer than the minimum 15 days with Chris Martin (undisclosed) set to be placed on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. In 16.2 innings of relief with Boston, Kelly owns a 2.16 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Zack Kelly: Summoned to majors
Rotowire
The Red Sox recalled Kelly from Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday.
He'll join the 26-man active roster and the bullpen as a replacement for right-hander Chris Martin, who was placed on the 15-day injured list due to anxiety. Kelly has previously made 11 appearances for the big club this season, accruing a 2.16 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in 16.2 innings.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Zack Kelly: Dispatched to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Red Sox optioned Kelly to Triple-A Worcester on Sunday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.
Kelly will head back to Worcester to make room in the bullpen for right-hander Brad Keller, who agreed to a one-year deal with the Red Sox. After making his return from Triple-A on April 24, Kelly made 11 relief appearances for Boston and logged a 2.16 ERA and 1.26 WHIP across 16.2 innings.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Zack Kelly: Back in big leagues
Rotowire
The Red Sox recalled Kelly from Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday.
Kelly got a late start to the season at Worcester with an oblique injury, but he's since fired nine scoreless innings with a 10:8 K:BB. He'll work in middle relief for Boston.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Zack Kelly: Healthy at Triple-A
Rotowire
Kelly (oblique) has made two relief appearances for Triple-A Worcester since the start of the International League season, tossing two scoreless innings while striking out one and allowing zero hits and two walks.
Before he was optioned to Triple-A at the conclusion of spring training, Kelly didn't make any Grapefruit League appearances for Boston after March 2 while he dealt with a sore left oblique. The issue wasn't significant enough to force Kelly to Worcester's 7-day IL to begin the season, so he'll look to string together some quality appearances for the Triple-A club with the hope of earning a call back to Boston.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Zack Kelly: Optioned to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Red Sox optioned Kelly (oblique) to Triple-A Worcester on Friday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.
Kelly won't make the cut for Boston's bullpen after missing most of March due to a left oblique injury. The right-hander failed to pitch as scheduled in Friday's Grapefruit League game against Toronto, but he should be healthy to begin the minor-league season and could quickly rejoin the Red Sox if he starts the year hot.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Zack Kelly: Slated for game appearance Friday
Rotowire
Kelly (oblique) will return to Grapefruit League play Friday with an appearance versus the Blue Jays, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.
Kelly has missed most of this month with a left oblique injury but is nearly ready to step back on a mound in a game setting. The reliever is expected to be ready for Opening Day and is competing for a spot in Boston's bullpen.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Zack Kelly: Playing catch Monday
Rotowire
Kelly (oblique) will play catch Monday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.
Kelly is starting to ramp back up after suffering a left oblique injury earlier this month. The reliever thinks he can be ready in time for Opening Day, but that wouldn't seem to be a given, nor would his inclusion on the big-league roster even if he is healthy.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Zack Kelly: Expects to be ready for Opening Day
Rotowire
Kelly (oblique) said Thursday that he expects to resume throwing off a mound next week and be ready in time for Opening Day, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.
Kelly is dealing with left oblique soreness, but the reliever is optimistic he can avoid a stint on the injured list. The 29-year-old wouldn't appear to be a lock for the Opening Day roster, however, as he's struggled this spring in allowing two runs on four hits and four walks over three innings.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Zack Kelly: Dealing with oblique injury
Rotowire
Kelly is currently sidelined by a left oblique injury, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.
Kelly's last Grapefruit League appearance came on March 2, although it's not clear whether he was injured then or sometime after. It's possible he will require a stint on the injured list to begin the season, but more should be known in the coming days.
