The Los Angeles Dodgers cast a wide net in their search for bullpen help this past season and reportedly considered a reunion with Joe Kelly.
The right-hander became a free agent after the 2024 World Series but didn’t feel rushed to sign with a team as he wanted to take some time to recover from the right shoulder injury that prevented him from throwing in the postseason.
Kelly worked out for the Dodgers this past summer and made it clear that he was only interested in signing with them. However, a deal never came to fruition and he wound up not pitching at all during the 2025 season.
Now 37 years old, Kelly said during a recent episode of the “Baseball Isn’t Boring” podcast that he does not plan to resume his playing career:
“Retiring is like something my grandmother did. It’s so disrespectful. I’m sorry to all you people out there watching this that work a real job, you guys deserve to retire. Athletes don’t, we just stop [expletive] playing. It’s used for people who served in the military. It’s used for people who work until 65, like they have to. They probably don’t even like their job, but they had to. So when athletes are done playing, just say congratulations; they’re no longer playing. No more retirement bull–.”
Kelly said earlier this year that he was encouraged by his rehab process and no longer felt any pain while throwing. He seemingly confirmed that during a workout by reaching 95 mph on his fastball while facing batters at Cal Poly Pomona.
Although he did not get to pitch for the Dodgers this past season, Kelly was on hand at Dodger Stadium for their game against the San Francisco Giants on June 14 to receive his 2024 World Series ring.
Kelly additionally was presented with a Dodgers gold series jersey and took photos with several of his former teammates.
Joe Kelly’s career with Dodgers
Kelly spent parts of five seasons with the Dodgers across two stints, going 9-5 with a 3.72 ERA, 3.55 FIP, 1.25 WHIP and 10.7 strikeouts per nine in 147.2 innings pitched (161 games).
He originally signed a three-year contract with the team prior to the 2019 season and was later reacquired from the Chicago White Sox at the 2023 MLB trade deadline.
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