An already-ailing Chicago White Sox' pitching staff may have been dealt another blow Wednesday afternoon when relief pitcher Joe Kelly was pulled from a game against the Rockies with right biceps discomfort.
Kelly was brought on to hold the eighth inning with the White Sox ahead 5-4. After allowing a leadoff double to Yonathan Daza, striking out Charlie Blackmon, then hitting Garrett Hampson with a pitch, he appeared to sustain the injury during an at bat against Kris Bryant.
Kelly struck out Bryant on four pitches, but showed signs of discomfort after hurling the final two: A changeup and 98 mile-per-hour fastball Bryant swung through.
The team has not yet commented on the severity of Kelly's injury, saying he will be "further evaluated." The White Sox went on to lose the contest 6-5 as Jimmy Lambert retired the final batter of the eighth, then Kendall Graveman allowed two runs to come home in the bottom of the ninth.
Kelly missed the first month of the White Sox' season with a right biceps nerve injury, which initially flared up while he was a member of the Dodgers during the 2021 NLCS. He has also missed time this season with a hamstring injury.
In all, Kelly has appeared in 23 games in the 2022 season and owns a 6.20 ERA, although he hadn't allowed a run in his last eight outings.
MLB
Needless to say, another stint on the sidelines would only further inflame the White Sox' bullpen need, which general manager Rick Hahn recently called the team's "biggest" ahead of this Tuesday's trade deadline.