The White Sox have reinforced their bullpen.
The team announced on Saturday that right-hander Joe Kelly has been reinstated ahead of tonight’s game in Minnesota. As part of the corresponding roster move, veteran Bryan Shaw has been designated for assignment.
Kelly, who has been on the injured list since July 5 with right elbow inflammation, is 1-4 with a 4.82 ERA (15 ER/28.0 IP), one save, 10 holds, and 37 strikeouts over 29 relief appearances this season. The 35-year-old has completed two IL stints now, with his other coming back in April due to a right groin strain.
Outside of losing a key bullpen arm for several weeks, the injury to Kelly may have put his trade value in jeopardy leading up to the August 1st deadline. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale originally stated on the White Sox Talk podcast that the team could move as many as six players, with Kelly being among those. The next week will ultimately tell if teams still have an interest in the veteran.
Shaw, 35, is 0-0 with a 9.39 ERA (8 ER/7.2 IP) in six relief appearances with the White Sox since signing as a minor-league free agent on April 28. The righty has now thrown 276 innings since the start of the 2018 season, owning a 5.35 ERA in what hasn’t been a particularly effective stretch with teams like the Rockies, Mariners, Guardians, and White Sox.
The veteran pitcher has enough service time to reject an outright assignment to Triple-A if he clears waivers, but it isn’t known if he’ll decide to test free agency again. Teams aren’t particularly likely to claim Shaw given his numbers, so it seems likely that he will be staying within the organization for the time being.
Following today’s moves, Chicago’s 40-man roster decreases to 39.
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Featured Photo: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
By bringing back Kelly, they round out the collection of turds that constitutes the bullpen!