Joe Kelly, Injured Ahead of Dodgers’ Postseason Run, Acknowledges He Might Retire
February 20, 2025
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A free agent pitcher who was injured last September, forcing him to miss the Los Angeles Dodgers’ postseason run that culminated in a World Series title, acknowledged he might retire.
Joe Kelly missed more than two months early last season with a right shoulder injury. Although he returned in July and pitched for most of the remainder of the 2024 season, he re-injured his shoulder in September and did not pitch in any of the Dodgers’ postseason games.
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After Los Angeles defeated the New York Yankees to win the World Series, Kelly became a free agent.
Joe Kelly #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Brusdar Graterol #48 make their way in from the bullpen after defeating the Houston Astros in thirteen innings at Minute Maid Park on July 29, 2020… Joe Kelly #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Brusdar Graterol #48 make their way in from the bullpen after defeating the Houston Astros in thirteen innings at Minute Maid Park on July 29, 2020 in Houston, Texas.
Bob Levey/Getty Images
Thursday, the 36-year-old right-hander told Rob Bradford on the Baseball Isn’t Boring podcast that he is open to pitching in 2025, and is throwing in preparation for a possible comeback.
Yet Kelly also acknowledged that, depending on how he progresses in his throwing program, he might choose to retire.
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“I’m not 100 percent yet,” Kelly said. “I want to see if I get to 100 percent.”
Bradford asked Kelly if he’s going to get there.
“Eventually,” Kelly said. “We’ll see. And if I don’t, then f— it. But I want to get there first” before reaching out to interested teams about signing a contract for 2025.
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If Kelly does retire, he wouldn’t be the first to do so after the Dodgers’ championship run. The champagne was not yet dry in the visitors’ clubhouse at Yankee Stadium when Daniel Hudson announced the 2024 season would be the last of his 15-year career.
Kelly went 1-1 with a 4.78 ERA in 35 appearances for the Dodgers last year. In his second tour of duty in Los Angeles, the Southern California native limited opponents to 31 hits while striking out 35 batters in 32 innings.
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In a major league career that began in 2012 with the St. Louis Cardinals, Kelly has captured three World Series rings: in 2020 and 2024 with the Dodgers, and in 2018 with the Boston Red Sox. He’s 54-38 with a 3.98 ERA and seven saves in 485 career games (81 starts).
Although Kelly has been open about his desire to return to the Dodgers if his health allows, they aren’t likely to have room for him on their Opening Day roster. Los Angeles signed free agent relievers Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates in January, forcing them to cut right-hander Ryan Brasier from what figures to be one of the best bullpens in the National League.
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