Roberts Addresses Joe Kelly’s Injury, Russell Martin’s Progress

This Spring camp has been chalked full of small aches and pains for the Dodgers. Friday was more of the same, as Dave Roberts addresses a few of the injured players in question. Corey Seager and Clayton Kershaw were not involved in discussions today, other than noting Seager would be back in action tomorrow after an illness sat him down.

Dave Roberts said Joe Kelly will throw a light bullpen today, will be in a game in a couple days. Hurt the back cooking Cajun food, according to Roberts.

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— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) March 8, 2019

You read that correctly. Apparently, Joe Kelly hurt himself in the kitchen while trying to cook up some Cajun food. You know what they say about heat in the kitchen…or whatever. Kelly was scratched from Wednesday night’s game, and his injury was not addresses until today. It doesn’t appear to be a major concern though, as Roberts felt Kelly would be back on the bump soon.

Kelly has appeared in two games so far with varying results. He has allowed one earned run across two innings of work and allowed two walks.

Russell Martin might play by Sunday. He will bat today.

— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) March 8, 2019

After having to sit out much longer than expected from his own aching back, Russell Martin is scheduled to get back into action this weekend. He will hit today though, which is a very encouraging sign. Martin has appeared in three games so far this Spring and has two hits in eight at-bats. He is currently competing for playing time with Austin Barnes, who is having an excellent Spring Training.

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Roberts also mentioned that the goal for the Dodgers staff is to build Caleb Ferguson up to three innings in camp. This would seem to suggest that Ferguson is destined for a long-relief type of role in 2019. Ferguson had much more success as a reliever last season, compiling a 2.35 earned run average to go along with a higher strikeout rate. He also did much better with his control, walking six batters across 38 innings of work.