Dodgers News: Pedro Baez and Joe Kelly Progressing Inching Toward Return
As of the time of this writing, the Dodgers are 17 games over .500 and have the best bullpen in the National League by ERA. As impressive as the relief core has been this season, they’ve been doing it without the help of Pedro Baez over the last few weeks, and Joe Kelly for most of the short season.
Today, Dave Roberts provided an update on the pair of flame-throwing right-handers.
Dodgers Pregame: Dave Roberts Updates on Buehler, Bellinger, Talks Second Base Competition & More
After Baez was spotted throwing off the mound at Dodger Stadium, Doc said the two could be pretty close to making their returns.
Petey threw the baseball really well. It was probably 30 pitches — used his entire mix and the ball was coming out good.
Dave said the next steps for Pedro include a bullpen on Thursday and potentially facing hitters on Sunday before being activated soon after. So if La Mula is getting closer, how far off is Joe Kelly?
He threw a good ‘pen yesterday, so I think Joe is sort of on Petey’s schedule. I don’t know if he’s gonna throw another ‘pen tomorrow, but I think that sometime this weekend he’ll throw another one and shortly thereafter face some hitters. So I think that he and Petey sometime late next week makes sense.
While Baez has only been out of action since August 20th, Kelly hasn’t appeared in a game since all the way back on August 8th, which is a long time in a 60 game season). Moreover, once NSB Joe is activated, he’ll still have to serve a 5-game suspension for throwing a ball near Houston cheaters Alex Bregman and Carlos Correa.
The pair have combined to allow 5 earned runs (all on Baez) in 17.2 innings pitched in 2020. In their place, the Dodgers have been relying more on Dylan Floro and Blake Treinen for the middle innings. Additionally, lefty relievers have faced a few more right-handed batters than likely would have been expected heading into the season.
With just over 20 games remaining in the regular season, Joe and Petey are definitely cutting it close.
NEXT: Dodgers Remain Atop MLB Power Rankings Following Trade Deadline
This is great news as they guys have been in the playoffs and Kelly has won a ring so they will be used to the pressure and difference on the playoffs.
My only concern is that Roberts has to be the worst manager in the MLB today in managing pitchers.
In each playoff series since he has been manager his poor pitching decisions have cost the Dodgers a game. Unfortunately in the playoffs you are against comparable teams and cannot give away games and expect to win. And they have lost every year Roberts has been manager!
And will lose in the playoffs this year and every other year because of Roberts.
Question. If Kelly is able to return sometime next week, why not active him now to serve his suspension. I’m not sure how this all works.
Thanks for any helpful comments.
TMAX YOU SAID IT ALL, ROBERTS IS THE WORST IN MANAGER OF PITCHERS THERE IS. F.O MUST THINK THEY HAVE A MANAGER AT A CHEAP PRICE. D.R.IS THE REASON DODGERS HAVE NOT WON THE W.S.