Dodgers Officially Bring Back Fan Favorite Reliever Joe Kelly

Mariachi Joe is back!

We have another Dodgers reunion this offseason as the team has re-signed right-handed reliever Joe Kelly to a new deal. 

Can confirm Joe Kelly and Dodgers have agreed to terms, pending physical https://t.co/wMEtsfckLa

— Rob Bradford (@bradfo) December 2, 2023

There had been talk about LA bringing him back this coming year, but that they wanted to wait out the rest of free agency first. The team declined his option for next season but felt that he was a needed addition to the bullpen.

Kelly came back to the Dodgers at the trade deadline last season and showed exactly why the team was interested in him. He worked very effectively as a middle reliever, posting an ERA of 1.74 over 11 games. 

He did have some injuries down the stretch of the season, but the team believes that he can overcome that this year. Kelly gives them a very trustworthy addition to their bullpen and someone that manager Dave Roberts relies upon heavily in games. 

The veteran relief pitcher is a fan favorite, so the majority of the fanbase should be happy with this signing. This is the kind of minor move that teams make during an offseason that could end up making a major impact on a title the following season. 

He brings a ton of experience to the table with him, and he was a big part of the 2020 championship Dodgers team. Kelly can still throw with the best of them around the league and brings his fiery attitude while on the mound. 

He isn't afraid to back down from any player, and that is the kind of spark that the Dodgers need. With this signing, LA will need to drop someone from their 40-man roster. It's currently full, and we should see multiple roster substractions in the coming days.

Welcome back to Los Angeles Joe! Now, let's go with another World Series!