Zack

Kelly

Kelly is now off the 40-man roster. The 31-year-old veteran would not be eligible to pitch for Boston until near the end of September, and it’s certainly likely that his 2026 season is over.

The Red Sox plan to promote Tayron Guerrero prior to Friday’s game and needed to clear a spot on their active roster and it looks like Kelly drew the short straw this time around. The 31-year-old hurler has actually done a nice job for the Red Sox this season, registering a 3.31 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and a 14/7 K/BB ratio over 16 1/3 innings in his 17 appearances.

With Garrett Whitlock headed to the paternity list, Zack Kelly will come up to take his place. Kelly had a 4.58 ERA in 35 1/3 innings for the Red Sox last year and could only be up for the weekend.

The decision leaves Connelly Early and Johan Oviedo as the fifth and sixth options in Boston’s rotation mix. Tolle did almost everything possible to prove he belongs in the big leagues with a strong Grapefruit League showing that included a 2.53 ERA and 13/1 K/BB ratio across 10 2/3 innings. The 23-year-old top pitching prospect would’ve likely been ticketed for a long relief role at the start of the regular season so he’ll instead remain stretched out as a traditional starter on the doorstep of the majors until a more permanent opportunity arises. He’ll be worth rostering in all fantasy formats based on his strikeout upside once he gets a real chance.

Kelly has a 5.56 ERA in 22 2/3 innings out of Boston’s pen this season. He’s returning now despite giving up seven runs over six innings in his last five appearances for Worcester.

The procedural move clears a spot on Boston’s 40-man roster. Kelly will be on the shelf until at least early September recovering from a right oblique strain. The 30-year-old reliever has posted an underwhelming 5.56 ERA across 22 2/3 innings (17 appearances) this season in the big leagues.

Kelly’s option to Triple-A Worcester was rescinded, and instead he’ll be placed on the shelf for the next couple of weeks. He could be back in the Boston bullpen shortly after the All-Star break.

Kelly left Sunday’s relief appearance against Toronto with right oblique tightness, but checked out fine after some precautionary imaging. The 30-year-old righty heads to the minors with Jordan Hicks coming off the injured list to join Boston’s relief mix.

Kelly has been up-and-down several times already this season as extra middle relief depth for Boston, posting a bloated 8.25 ERA across 12 innings (eight appearances) in the big leagues. He’s merely organizational relief depth at this stage of his career.

Kelly returns to the minors to make room for Richard Fitts on Boston’s active roster ahead of Tuesday’s showdown against the Brewers.