Joe Kelly and the Boston Red Sox seemingly have dodged a bullet.
Kelly, who left Monday’s start against the New York Mets with right biceps soreness, threw a 32-pitch bullpen session Thursday at JetBlue Park and came away without any physical restrictions. The right-hander is expected to make his next start Sunday against the Philadelphia Phillies, according to manager John Farrell.
“I felt good in my bullpen,” Kelly told reporters in Fort Myers, Fla. “I didn’t throw it obviously 100 percent, which I never do in my bullpens. What I got out there (Thursday) was I got my body going, tried to see how the arm feels. I knew it was feeling fine, but it was more for staff, medical staff, coaching staff, for them to see and make sure.
“I’m a guy who likes to pitch through a lot of things. It was more for them. But I felt pretty good out there. I threw about 70 percent. It went well.”
Kelly downplayed the issue after Monday’s injury shortened start, yet it remained a major storyline at Red Sox spring training, especially with fellow starters Wade Miley and Justin Masterson getting knocked around in their most recent outings. The Red Sox’s ace-less rotation, of course, has been scrutinized all offseason and throughout camp.
Kelly, who was acquired last July from the St. Louis Cardinals, is entering his first full season with the Red Sox and his fourth major league season overall. The 26-year-old has never topped 17 starts or 124 innings, so his preparation this spring is of the utmost importance.
“We’ve been working on this thing and trying to get my arm to feel as good as possible and get ready for the season,” Kelly told reporters Thursday. “Obviously you want to be healthy and feeling good. My arm is feeling good right now — obviously a lot better than when I had to come out of the game. After today, my bullpen session, I feel really confident where I’m going to be at in two days.”
Kelly’s stuff has been lauded throughout camp, as it looks like the young hurler is poised to take the next step with a clear role in Boston’s starting five. Now, he can begin to move forward after a brief scare.
Thumbnail photo via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports Images
