Antoine

Kelly

The Cubs needed a spot on the active roster, so Kelly will be sent down. He threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings in his MLB debut.

Kelly was acquired from the Dodgers earlier this summer and has posted a 2.79 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and 22/7 K/BB ratio in 19 1/3 innings in the Chicago organization. If he gets into a game with the Cubs, it will be his MLB debut.

Kelly had a 5.14 ERA and a 22/19 K/BB in 21 innings out of the pen for Triple-A Oklahoma City this season. Unfortunately, that’s a pretty common walk rate for Kelly, which is why he’s yet to pitch in the majors despite being added to the Rangers’ 40-man roster after the 2023 season and getting claimed off waivers by the Rockies in July 2024. He figures to remain in Triple-A with the Cubs.

Kelly bolsters the Dodgers’ left-handed relief stable heading into spring training after spending last year at the Triple-A level with the Rockies, posting an underwhelming 5.63 ERA, 1.88 WHIP and 41/27 K/BB ratio over 38 1/3 innings in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. He’s a low-risk gamble for Los Angeles as organizational depth.

Kelly was claimed off waivers from the Rangers last month and was assigned to Triple-A Albuquerque. He had since given up six earned runs in 2 1/3 innings, having also missed three weeks with an undisclosed injury. It’s been a completely lost year for a pitcher who looked like a pretty good relief prospect a year ago.

Kelly represents an interesting lottery ticket for the Rockies as a former second-round pick from the 2019 MLB Draft. The 24-year-old southpaw has converted to a full-time relief role and showed some real promise last year in the upper minors with a 2.04 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 79/23 K/BB ratio across 57 13/ innings (49 appearances) between Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock. He’s been limited to just 19 relief outings this year in the minors due to injury.

Kelly was the prospect the Rangers got from the Brewers for Matt Bush two years ago, and he was added to the 40-man after last season. He was a terrific minor league reliever last year, posting a 2.04 ERA and a 79/23 K/BB in 57 1/3 innings between Double- and Triple-A, but he had a 9.35 ERA and a 24/22 K/BB in 17 1/3 innings this season.

There were reports that the Rangers considered opening the season with three catchers on the active roster but ultimately decided against it. While Huff isn’t known for his defensive prowess, he can still swing it, hitting .298/.399/.548 with 17 homers across 321 plate appearances at Triple-A Round Rock. He’ll provide depth at catcher in the upper levels of the Rangers’ minor league system.

The 23-year-old southpaw came to the Rangers in the 2022 deadline deal that sent Matt Bush to the Brewers. Kelly was a dominant force out of the bullpen at Double-A Frisco in 2023 — compiling a 1.95 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and a 69/22 K/BB ratio over 50 2/3 innings of work before finishing out his season with six appearances at Triple-A Round Rock. Expect him to open the season in a high-leverage role at Triple-A Round Rock before eventually making his big league debut with the Rangers.

Kelly, 22, has battled injuries and control issues in pro ball but has a big arm capable of missing plenty of bats. He holds a 3.86 ERA and 119/52 K/BB ratio over 91 innings at the High-A level in 2022.