Dodgers manager Dave Roberts reveals Joe Kelly's World Series status

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Thursday that right-hander Joe Kelly will not be on the World Series roster when Game 1 begins Friday night at Dodger Stadium.

Kelly, who is dealing with a right shoulder injury and hasn't pitched since late September, will not be added to Friday's World Series roster. However, Roberts said he could be a candidate to be added to the squad later as an injured replacement should the situation arise.

“Don’t start, don’t start,” Roberts said. “Joe is still pitching and improving, but I think at the beginning when we're setting the squad, I don't think Joe is a candidate at the moment.”

Kelly last pitched for the Dodgers on September 27th. He appeared in 35 games that year and posted a 4.78 ERA in 32 innings.

Kelly's 2024 season was a struggle, and it wouldn't make sense for the Dodgers to add him to the World Series roster if he wasn't 100 percent healthy (or even if he was).

The Dodgers bullpen has been dominant throughout the postseason and will look to continue that against the New York Yankees.

Although Kelly will not be in the squad, there is a possibility that both Alex Vesia and Brusdar Graterol will be in the squad.

Read more: Dave Roberts reveals extensive updates on the availability of Miguel Rojas, Alex Vesia and Brusdar Graterol for the World Series

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