WASHINGTON — The Red Sox made a rather uncommon roster move after Friday’s rout over the Nationals.
Four days after optioning reliever Zack Kelly to Triple-A Worcester, the club voided that transaction and retroactively placed him on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to June 30) with a right oblique strain.
Kelly, who owns a 5.56 ERA in 17 MLB games this season, left Sunday’s loss to Toronto with oblique tightness and underwent an MRI a day later. Needing a roster spot for Jordan Hicks, who was ready to be activated from the IL after coming over in the Rafael Devers blockbuster, the Red Sox decided to send Kelly down to the minors instead of placing him on the IL. The team believed the MRI showed no structural damage.
Kelly’s pain persisted, however, and he didn’t pitch for the WooSox this week. The club ultimately recognized that he’s unavailable and voided Monday’s transaction to place him on the major league injured list.
By being placed on the IL instead of sent down, Kelly can remain with the big league club as he rehabs. He also will continue to accrue service time — no small thing for a player who entered with just over two years in the big leagues — and will receive his major league salary while on the IL.
In 87 games with the Red Sox since debuting in 2022, the 30-year-old Kelly owns a 4.31 ERA.
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