BOSTON — The Red Sox’s rotation might have just taken a hit.
Starter Joe Kelly left Tuesday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays with two outs in the first inning after facing just four batters. The Red Sox announced during the fourth inning that Kelly had a right shoulder impingement.
A trainer and Red Sox manager John Farrell went to the mound after Kelly struck out Rays designated hitter Corey Dickerson, and the right-hander exited after trying to throw a few pitches. Kelly threw 23 pitches — just 10 were for strikes — and his fastball was well below its usual velocity. It topped out at 94 mph on only one pitch and averaged just 90 mph, when it usually sits around 96 or 97 mph.
He finished his outing with no hits, no runs, two walks and one strikeout. The Red Sox eventually lost 3-0 in extra innings.
Thumbnail photo via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports Images
