The Chicago White Sox and relief pitcher Joe Kelly agreed to a two-year contract with a club option for a third year, according to MLB.com. The deal is pending a physical, but Kelly should strengthen a White Sox bullpen that already includes Liam Hendriks, Aaron Bummer, Kendall Graveman, and - at least for now - Craig Kimbrel. Kelly spent the last three seasons with the Dodgers and helped the team win a title in 2020, but Los Angeles didn't pick up the club option, making Kelly a free agent. The right-hander posted a strong 27.5 percent K-rate last season and earned a 33 percent called-plus swinging strike rate, so he can still rack up strikeouts and is a useful fantasy option in leagues that reward holds. Most fantasy managers, however, can disregard Kelly as he likely won't earn many saves in Chicago.

Relief pitcher Joe Kelly became a free agent this offseason after the Los Angeles Dodgers declined to pick up his option. However, Kelly stated in a recent radio appearance on AM 570 LA Sports that he hopes to return in Dodger blue this year. He also stated that the Dodgers are interested in bringing him back. The 33-year-old veteran had a strong year working in a setup role last year. He made 48 appearances and pitched to a 2.86 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP while recording 13 holds and two saves. If he were to return to the Dodgers in 2022, he'd likely return to setup duties.

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Joe Kelly (biceps) will head to free agency after the team declined his option Saturday. Kelly would have made $12 million dollars on the option, and he will instead receive a $4 million dollar buyout. This decision could largely be influenced by Kelly's injury status, but recent reports suggest he should be ready to start the 2022 season. After posting a 2.86 ERA, and 0.98 WHIP with 50 strikeouts in 44 innings across 48 appearances, Kelly should have no shortage of suitors. His fantasy value would spike if he were to go to a team with less potent back-end bullpen options than the Dodgers.

Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed reliever Joe Kelly (biceps), who served as the opener in the Game 5 win over the Atlanta Braves in the National League Championship Series on Thursday, is likely to miss the rest of the playoffs after he left in the first inning with a right biceps strain. Kelly had a nice 2.86 ERA in 48 relief outings during the regular season and had become a critical middle-innings piece of the Dodgers pitching staff. It seems likely that veteran left-hander David Price will replace Kelly on the NLCS roster with the series heading back to Atlanta for Game 6 on Saturday. Price had a 4.03 ERA in 39 appearances this season and didn't pitch at all in the Division Series against the San Francisco Giants. Kelly threw 28 pitches and allowed a two-run homer to Freddie Freeman before getting yanked in two-thirds of an inning Thursday.

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Joe Kelly (biceps) left his outing as an opener in the first inning of Game 5 of the National League Championship Series against the Atlanta Braves on Thursday in the first inning with right biceps tightness. Kelly threw 28 pitches and allowed a two-run home run to first baseman Freddie Freeman before departing the game with trainers in just two-thirds of an inning. He was replaced by right-hander Evan Phillips. This was Kelly's first start of the season after 48 regular season appearances in relief. It's unclear if Kelly's injury is serious enough to keep him out for the remainder of the series against the Braves, which will head back to Atlanta on Saturday for Game 6.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Joe Kelly will take the ball first as the team's opener on Thursday night in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series. Kelly pitched to a 2.86 ERA and a 3.08 FIP in 44 innings during the regular season, striking out 50 batters while surrendering 15 walks. So far during the postseason, the veteran reliever has struck out five batters in 4.2 innings while surrendering three hits, a walk, and an earned run.

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Joe Kelly secured his second save of the season on Wednesday versus the Atlanta Braves. Kelly was called upon with closer Kenley Jansen unavailable for the evening. Kelly worked a clean 1-2-3 inning with three groundouts. Jansen should be available when the Dodgers return to action on Friday versus the San Francisco Giants. For the season, Kelly owns a 3.55 ERA and can be avoided in most formats at the moment.

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Joe Kelly (COVID-19) was activated from the COVID-19 injured list on Wednesday, according to Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register. Kelly has been a decent option in SV/HLD formats this year, going 2-0 with seven holds, one save, a 3.34 ERA, 1.011 WHIP and 28 percent strikeout rate across 29 2/3 innings of work. Managers who have him rostered should slot him back into their lineups right away.

Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Joe Kelly (COVID-19) faced three batters in a rehab outing on Friday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports. Kelly threw 16 pitches, striking out one and walking two. Manager Dave Roberts told reporters that he could be activated from the injured list as soon as Sunday. Kelly, who has been on the 10-day IL since August 10, has appeared in 31 games, posting a 3.34 ERA with a 28.0 K% and a 6.4 BB%. He's also added one save and four holds on the year. He has the strikeout rate fantasy managers covet, but doesn't earn enough saves or holds to be relevant in most leagues.

BOSTON (AP) — Held hitless into the eighth inning by Domingo Germán and looking feeble, Alex Verdugo and the Boston Red Sox suddenly erupted for five runs and stormed past the New York Yankees 5-4 Sunday. Verdugo opened the eighth with a long double for Boston’s first hit. Later, Kiké Hernández slid home headfirst on Xander Bogaerts’ sacrifice fly with the go-ahead run to cap the rally. The Red Sox won for the 10th time in 13 games against the Yankees and reclaimed first place in the AL East, a game ahead of Tampa Bay. New York fell nine games behind Boston. Boston trailed 4-0 when Verdugo doubled to deep right, and Germán was lifted after the hit. Jonathan Loaisiga (7-4) relieved, and Boston broke loose with four straight hits. Hunter Renfroe had an RBI double, Christian Vázquez singled home a run and Hernández followed with an RBI double, cutting it to 4-3. Zack Britton relieved and pinch-hitter Kevin Plawecki’s groundout plated the tying run. Hernández hustled hard and beat right fielder... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Held hitless into the eighth inning by Domingo Germán and looking feeble, Alex Verdugo and the Boston Red Sox suddenly erupted for five runs and stormed past the New York Yankees 5-4 Sunday. Verdugo opened the eighth with a long double for Boston’s first hit. Later, Kiké Hernández slid home headfirst on Xander Bogaerts’ sacrifice fly with the go-ahead run to cap the rally. The Red Sox won for the 10th time in 13 games against the Yankees and reclaimed first place in the AL East, a game ahead of Tampa Bay. New York fell nine games behind Boston. Boston trailed 4-0 when Verdugo doubled to deep right, and Germán was lifted after the hit. Jonathan Loaisiga (7-4) relieved, and Boston broke loose with four straight hits. Hunter Renfroe had an RBI double, Christian Vázquez singled home a run and Hernández followed with an RBI double, cutting it to 4-3. Zack Britton relieved and pinch-hitter Kevin Plawecki’s groundout plated the tying run. Hernández hustled hard and beat right fielder... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Jose Altuve belted a grand slam in the 10th inning and the Houston Astros, saved by Carlos Correa’s tying homer in the ninth, beat the Texas Rangers 6-3 on Tuesday night to give manager Dusty Baker quite an exciting birthday gift. After Texas drove in the automatic runner in the top of the 10th for a 3-2 lead, Rangers rookie reliever Demarcus Evans (0-2) walked Myles Straw and pinch-hitter Jason Castro to load the bases with no outs in the bottom half. Altuve then launched his soaring shot into left field to put the Astros on top and start the party. Altuve was doused with water at home plate before sharing a hug with Baker, who celebrated his 72nd birthday. Correa hit a solo homer to the opposite field shot with two outs and two strikes in the ninth off Josh Sborz, making it 2-all. Nate Lowe’s RBI single off Ryan Pressly (3-1) with two outs in the 10th put the Rangers up. GIANTS 9, DIAMONDBACKS 8 SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks blew a seven-run lead and lost... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Domingo Germán pitched seven scoreless innings, Gio Urshela and Aaron Judge delivered RBI singles as pinch-hitters in the seventh inning and the New York Yankees followed Corey KJuber’s no-hitter by beating the Texas Rangers 2-0 on Thursday. New York won its sixth straight series and at 25-19 moved a season-high six games over .500. Yankees pitchers have thrown seven shutouts in the team’s first 44 games for the first time since 1967. Germán (4-2), who allowed six hits with five strikeouts as New York finished the four-game series with 22 consecutive scoreless innings. Chad Green pitched a perfect eighth, and Aroldis Chapman struck out two in the ninth for his 11th save. John King (4-3) was the loser. RED SOX 8, BLUE JAYS 7 DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) — J.D. Martinez hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in a three-run ninth inning, and the Red Sox rallied to beat the Blue Jays. Alex Verdugo had an RBI grounder before Martinez connected on his 250th homer. The two-out drive came... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Corey Kluber threw the the major leagues’ sixth no-hitter this season and second in two nights, leading the New York Yankees over the Texas Rangers 2-0 on Wednesday. The 35-year-old right-hander, a two-time American League Cy Young Award winner, came within a four-pitch walk to Charlie Culberson in the third inning of twirling a perfect game. Kluber pitched his gem a night after Detroit's Spencer Turnbull threw one against Seattle, marking the first no-hitters on consecutive days since 1969. Kluber (4-2) struck out nine and and threw 71 of 101 pitches for strikes in his ninth start for the Yankees. Kluber was pitching on the mound when he was hurt after one inning last season for the Rangers, when he tore a muscle in his right shoulder on July 26 in his Texas debut. It was the 12th no-hitter in Yankees history, the 11th in the regular season and the first since David Cone’s perfect game against Montreal on July 18, 1999. It was the fifth against the Rangers, who... [More]

A look at what's happening around baseball today: ___ MAJOR DAY FOR MINOR LEAGUES From the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp to the Tri-City Dust Devils, minor league teams are set to host opening day across the country following more than a year of uncertainty and empty ballparks. Much has changed since the end of the 2019 campaign — the pandemic wiped out the entire 2020 season, Major League Baseball eliminated 40 affiliates, and Commissioner Rob Manfred instituted experimental rules changes that will differ by level in an effort to speed up play and improve player safety. Of course, the charms of minor league ball remain plentiful. Family-friendly prices, offbeat giveaways and outlandish team branding remain key pillars of the experience. As does the chance for thousands of players to pursue their big-league dreams. “If you have young guys that need to play baseball, they’ve been void of it for almost two years now, they’ve got to get out there and play,” Los Angeles Angels manager Joe Maddon... [More]

A look at what's happening around baseball Tuesday: ___ MAJOR DAY FOR MINOR LEAGUES From the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp to the Tri-City Dust Devils, minor league teams are set to host opening day across the country following more than a year of uncertainty and empty ballparks. Much has changed since the end of the 2019 campaign — the pandemic wiped out the entire 2020 season, Major League Baseball eliminated 40 affiliates, and Commissioner Rob Manfred instituted experimental rules changes that will differ by level in an effort to speed up play and improve player safety. Of course, the charms of minor league ball remain plentiful. Family-friendly prices, offbeat giveaways and outlandish team branding remain key pillars of the experience. As does the chance for thousands of players to pursue their big-league dreams. “If you have young guys that need to play baseball, they’ve been void of it for almost two years now, they’ve got to get out there and play,” Los Angeles Angels manager Joe Maddon... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Dustin May got an MRI on Monday morning, and that was it. His season was over. May will have Tommy John surgery next week, leaving the Los Angeles Dodgers without one of baseball’s top young pitchers for the rest of their title defense. “It’s a big blow,” manager Dave Roberts said before the team’s series opener against the Cubs was postponed because of inclement weather in the forecast. “But we’ve got a lot of talented players, and we just got to find a way to fill that void.” The 23-year-old May was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday, a day after the right-hander winced in pain on the mound and was forced to leave a start at Milwaukee. The World Series champion Dodgers, already beset by several injuries to their pitching staff, said Dr. Neal El Attrache will perform May's ligament reconstruction surgery on May 11 in Los Angeles. “It’s obviously very disappointing,” Roberts said. “He’s handling it like a pro. You know, wants to figure out what’s the next step after... [More]

A look at what's happening around baseball Tuesday: ___ MAJOR DAY FOR MINOR LEAGUES From the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp to the Tri-City Dust Devils, minor league teams are set to host opening day across the country following more than a year of uncertainty and empty ballparks. Much has changed since the end of the 2019 campaign — the pandemic wiped out the entire 2020 season, Major League Baseball eliminated 40 affiliates, and Commissioner Rob Manfred instituted experimental rules changes that will differ by level in an effort to speed up play and improve player safety. Of course, the charms of minor league ball remain plentiful. Family-friendly prices, offbeat giveaways and outlandish team branding remain key pillars of the experience. As does the chance for thousands of players to pursue their big-league dreams. “If you have young guys that need to play baseball, they’ve been void of it for almost two years now, they’ve got to get out there and play,” Los Angeles Angels manager Joe Maddon... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Dustin May got an MRI on Monday morning, and that was it. His season was over. May will have Tommy John surgery next week, leaving the Los Angeles Dodgers without one of baseball’s top young pitchers for the rest of their title defense. “It’s a big blow,” manager Dave Roberts said before the team’s series opener against the Cubs was postponed because of inclement weather in the forecast. “But we’ve got a lot of talented players, and we just got to find a way to fill that void.” The 23-year-old May was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday, a day after the right-hander winced in pain on the mound and was forced to leave a start at Milwaukee. The World Series champion Dodgers, already beset by several injuries to their pitching staff, said May will have ligament reconstruction surgery on May 11 in Los Angeles. “It’s obviously very disappointing,” Roberts said. “He’s handling it like a pro. You know, wants to figure out what’s the next step after surgery and kind of attack... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Dustin May got an MRI on Monday morning, and that was it. His season was over. May will have Tommy John surgery next week, leaving the Los Angeles Dodgers without one of baseball’s top young pitchers for the rest of their title defense. “It’s a big blow,” manager Dave Roberts said before the team’s series opener against the Cubs was postponed because of inclement weather in the forecast. “But we’ve got a lot of talented players, and we just got to find a way to fill that void.” The 23-year-old May was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday, a day after the right-hander winced in pain on the mound and was forced to leave a start at Milwaukee. The World Series champion Dodgers, already beset by several injuries to their pitching staff, said May will have ligament reconstruction surgery on May 11 in Los Angeles. “It’s obviously very disappointing,” Roberts said. “He’s handling it like a pro. You know, wants to figure out what’s the next step after surgery and kind of attack... [More]