Zack Kelly Injury News & Updates
Keep up with the latest injuries from the Red Sox vs Braves game on Feb 27, 2026 with our Major League Baseball injury report.Sep 24, 2023
Activated from IL
The Red Sox reinstated Kelly (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Sunday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.
ANALYSIS
Kelly has been out for most of the season while recovering from an elbow surgery he underwent in April. He allowed eight runs over six innings during his rehab assignment and has been deemed ready to join Boston's bullpen for the final week-plus of the season. The Red Sox optioned Nick Robertson to Triple-A Worcester and designated Kyle Barraclough for assignment as corresponding moves.
Sep 20, 2023
On track to return Friday
Kelly (elbow) is expected to be activated from the 60-day injured list Friday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.
ANALYSIS
Kelly has missed most of this season after undergoing a ulnar nerve transposition revision in his right elbow. He's made six rehab appearances, though and is nearly ready to rejoin Boston's bullpen following a lengthy absence.
Sep 12, 2023
Shifts rehab to Double-A
Kelly will move his rehab assignment from High-A Salem to Double-A Portland on Wednesday, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.
ANALYSIS
Kelly began the assignment with Salem on Sept. 1 and gave up three earned runs on three hits and five walks while striking out three over two innings across his three appearances. Though he needs more time to regain command coming off an elbow procedure that he underwent in April, Kelly showed enough during his time at Salem to get bumped up to Double-A. He'll eventually move his rehab assignment to Triple-A Worcester before likely making his return from Boston's 60-day injured list at some point later this month.
Sep 3, 2023
Begins rehab assignment
Kelly (elbow) allowed one walk and struck out two over one inning for Single-A Salem on Friday, MLB.com reports.
ANALYSIS
The Red Sox are hoping to have Kelly back in the majors before the end of the season. The right-hander underwent an elbow procedure in April.
Aug 14, 2023
Could face hitters next week
Kelly (elbow) could face hitters next week, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.
ANALYSIS
This is the first update on Kelly's status since he underwent an elbow procedure in early May, but he has apparently made good progress in his recovery and is on the verge of reaching a key step in the process.
May 2, 2023
Undergoes nerve procedure
The Red Sox announced Tuesday that Kelly underwent a successful ulnar nerve transposition revision in his right elbow, Jen McCaffrey of The Athleticreports.
ANALYSIS
The procedure was performed by Dr. Jeffrey Dugas at The Andrews Institute in Birmingham, Alabama. Kelly has no timetable for a return at this point, but the right-hander told reporters near the end of April that his hope is to return in four months. If there are no setbacks, Kelly could be a late-innings option for the Boston bullpen near the start of September.
Apr 20, 2023
Targeting September return
Kelly (elbow) said Thursday that he will be sidelined for four months, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.
ANALYSIS
Kelly is scheduled to undergo surgery to repair the ulnar nerve in his right elbow, but he will reportedly be a "full go" once four months have passed following the procedure. If the Red Sox are in a position to make the postseason by then, Kelly could make a return to the bullpen. Otherwise, the team could decide to shelf him for the season and give him more time to recover.
Apr 19, 2023
Set for elbow surgery
Kelly will undergo right elbow surgery to reattach the ulnar nerve, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.
ANALYSIS
A timetable for Kelly's return isn't clear yet, with Red Sox manager Alex Cora saying only that Kelly is out "for a while." The 28-year-old was transferred to the 60-day injured list over the weekend.
Apr 16, 2023
Shifts to 60-day IL
Kelly (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Sunday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.
ANALYSIS
The 28-year-old is dealing with right elbow inflammation and recently had an MRI return negative for any structural damage, but he's still experiencing discomfort and will now be sidelined for at least the next two months. Kelly is likely to be shut down from throwing for a bit as he continues to be evaluated.
Apr 15, 2023
MRI clean, still feels discomfort
An MRI taken Friday on Kelly's right elbow turned up negative for any structural damage, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
But the righty reliever is still experiencing discomfort and will pay a visit to the doctor who performed surgery on his arm back in 2020. Kelly was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday with what has been diagnosed for now as right elbow inflammation.
Apr 13, 2023
Placed on 15-day IL
Kelly was placed on the 15-day injured list by the Red Sox on Thursday with right elbow inflammation.
ANALYSIS
Kelly is set to undergo more testing, per Chad Jennings of The Athletic, so the inflammation diagnosis isn't final. The righty reliever was injured during Wednesday's game against Tampa Bay and it looked at the time like it could be something significant.
Apr 12, 2023
Removed from game
Kelly left Wednesday's game against Tampa Bay with an apparent arm injury, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.
ANALYSIS
Kelly immediately collapsed to the ground after hitting Yandy Diaz with a pitch. He appeared to be in quite a bit of pain and was grabbing at his arm/elbow. He should be considered day-to-day for now, but early signs don't look promising for the 28-year-old reliever
Mar 26, 2023
Wins spot in bullpen
Red Sox manager Alex Cora met with Kelly to inform him he's won a spot on the Opening Day roster, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.
ANALYSIS
Kelly was solid in his cup of coffee with Boston in 2023 with a 3.95 ERA over 13 appearances and 13.2 innings, and he's done a nice job this spring with a 3.38 ERA in his eight innings of work in Florida. The 28-year-old right-hander will be a middle-innings option for the Red Sox to open the 2023 campaign.
Feb 23, 2023
Trending up
Kelly's stuff has ticked up in recent seasons and he is a contender to win a full-time role in Boston's bullpen this season, MLB Pipeline reports.
ANALYSIS
Kelly was a journeyman reliever earlier in his minor-league career. He gained fastball velocity during the off year in 2020 and came back racking up the strikeouts in 2021 and 2022, culminating with him fanning 72 batters (34.4 percent) in 49.2 innings at Triple-A Worcester before earning his MLB debut last season. In addition to his mid-90s fastball, Kelly sports a plus changeup that has similar movement characteristics to Devin Williams' famous "airbender" changeup. Kelly probably won't get saves as a rookie, but he could offer value in leagues where relievers who post good ratios and strikeouts are useful.
Sep 5, 2022
Back from paternity list
Kelly was reinstated from the paternity list Monday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.
ANALYSIS
Kelly will return to Boston's bullpen ahead of Monday's series opener versus the Rays following a three-day absence while with his growing family. The right-hander has appeared in three games since getting called up Aug. 28, surrendering two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out four over three innings. Josh Winckowski was optioned to Triple-A Worcester in a corresponding move.
Sep 2, 2022
To paternity list
Kelly was placed on the paternity list Friday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Kelly has given up two earned runs while striking out four in three innings over four appearances since making his MLB debut earlier this week. Tyler Danish is up to fill the hole in Boston's bullpen.
Aug 30, 2022
Makes MLB debut
Kelly allowed one hit and struck out two over a scoreless inning in Monday's 4-2 loss to the Twins.
ANALYSIS
Kelly, who was part of a bullpen shakeup following a blowout loss Sunday, made his MLB debut Monday. The a 27-year-old Kelly and Kaleb Ort were called up, while Austin Davis and Hirokazu Sawamura were DFA'd. The bullpen has been a mess all season, and general manager Chaim Bloom needs to address it during the offseason. For now, the Red Sox are hopeful Kelly, who had a 2.72 ERA for Triple-A Worcester, could become a discovery like John Schreiber, a 28-year-old with a 2.22 for Boston in 2022.