Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Reveals When Joe Kelly Will Return to LA Bullpen

The fan favorite is ready for his return!

Joe Kelly made his return to Los Angeles after a short year-and-a-half stint with the Chicago White Sox.

Unfortunately, his return was cut short due to right forearm inflammation that put him on the injured list since the second week of August.

Now, around a month since being put on the injured list, Kelly is ready to return and help a much-needed bullpen close out the season and make a postseason run. He's expected to be back Wednesday for the team's series finale against the Padres.

Pregame notes: Bobby Miller will start Friday and Clayton Kershaw will next start on Saturday.

David Peralta is available off the bench today after being hit by a pitch on the elbow Sunday.

Target date for Joe Kelly’s return is Wednesday.

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) September 11, 2023

Kelly spent three years with the Dodgers from 2019-2021 where he helped the team bring a World Series to Los Angeles in the 2020 shortened season.

Kelly quickly became a fan favorite with his hard-nosed style of pitching and confident attitude on and off the mound.

Fans were happy when it was announced that Joe Kelly was coming back to Los Angeles at this year's trade deadline in a trade with the Chicago White Sox.

Kelly made four appearances back in Dodger blue where he went 3.2 innings allowing only a single hit while striking out 7.

Unfortunately, Kelly went on the IL after his fourth appearance and he's been down ever since.

Kelly started improving last week when it was announced he would throw a 20-pitch bullpen session and now also making a couple of appearances for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes in a mini-rehab assignment for the veteran.

Joe Kelly is in the bullpen. pic.twitter.com/ZboHGwIm4c

— Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (@RCQuakes) September 10, 2023

Kelly is looking to join a Dodgers bullpen and pitching staff that will need to make up for recent injuries and shutdowns to possible returning pitchers.

The Dodgers are looking to finish the year strong with improving and returning pitchers alongside the MVPs at the top of the lineup every day.