Few players have connected with the Los Angeles Dodgers fanbase quite like Joe Kelly. From his iconic glare at the Houston Astros to donning a mariachi jacket at the White House, the Southern California native carved out a unique legacy in Dodger blue.
Now 37 and a free agent, Kelly hasn’t pitched yet this season due to shoulder issues that sidelined him throughout 2024—including the Dodgers’ postseason run. But if his health cooperates, Kelly says there’s only one place he wants to be.
Joe Kelly Says Only The Dodgers, “If I come back healthy.”
Support Our Fight To End Fall Weddings
“If I come back healthy, I’m only playing for one team, and that’s the Dodgers,” Kelly said on Foul Territory this week.
Kelly is progressing. He’s throwing off a mound without pain, logging bullpen sessions, and believes his trademark velocity will soon return. “The arm speed is there,” he said, “which tells me the velocity will come back in the near future.”
That’s encouraging news for a team in need. The Dodgers currently have 13 pitchers on the injured list and their bullpen ERA in June sits at 4.24—20th in MLB. With postseason aspirations and a volatile trade market, an experienced, high-velocity arm like Kelly’s could be valuable insurance.
During his two stints in Los Angeles, Kelly posted a 3.72 ERA with a 113 ERA+ across 161 appearances. Even in a down year in 2024, his fastball averaged 98.1 mph—ranking in the 98th percentile league-wide. He also posted the best WHIP (1.253) of his career during his time with the Dodgers.
The only thing standing in the way? Health.
If Kelly can return to form, there’s little doubt the Dodgers would be tempted to reunite with one of their most beloved—and battle-tested—bullpen arms. The door isn’t closed. It’s resting on a healthy shoulder.