Dodgers News: Joe Kelly nearing return to Dodgers after successful rehab outing

Joe Kelly’s comeback to the Los Angeles Dodgers is going quite well. The veteran reliever pitched a scoreless inning for the Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes on Tuesday to start his rehab assignment after missing time due to a shoulder issue. In the outing, he only threw five pitches.

For the 36-year-old, who has been sidelined for the previous two months due to a right shoulder strain, this is a significant step. Kelly will require three or four more rehab appearances before returning to the major league roster, according to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.

Kelly’s final game came against the Atlanta Braves on May 5. On June 16, he was transferred from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL. With a 4.73 ERA, 14 strikeouts, and a 1.35 WHIP through 13.1 innings in 15 games, his season hasn’t gone well so far.

On May 5, Kelly played his last game with the Atlanta Braves. He was moved from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on June 16. His season hasn’t started off well, as he has pitched 13.1 innings in 15 games with a 4.73 ERA, 14 strikeouts, and a 1.35 WHIP.

By signing veteran Alan Trejo to a minor league contract and reassigning him to Triple-A Oklahoma City, the Dodgers have increased the depth of their infield. With two doubles and two walks in his debut, Trejo, 28, made an immediate impression.

After spending a portion of the previous four seasons with the Colorado Rockies, Trejo was selected by them in the 16th round of the 2017 MLB Draft. He made his major league debut in 2021. He has played in 173 games during his MLB career, with a batting average of.228; an on-base percentage of.276; a slugging percentage of.334; nine home runs; and 47 RBIs.