The Chicago White Sox need these three players to avoid another awful season
By Todd Welter
Joe Kelly is finally healthy to be a valuable bullpen piece.
Kelly started 2022 injured and could never get back to full health.
His injury impacted how effective he pitched when he was able. Kelly posted a 6.08 ERA and a -.6 bWAR.
Kelly is recovered and ready to contribute to a contending bullpen.
“Guys were taking it easy, being cautious, and that was not coming from the training staff or strength coach.
— White Sox Talk (@NBCSWhiteSox) March 9, 2023
"It was us as players not going pedal to the metal."
- Joe Kelly on the suggested decrease in effort for injury-sakehttps://t.co/6uafAZ8OL1
The Chicago White Sox are going to need Kelly with closer Liam Hendriks out for an undetermined amount of time as he battles non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Reynaldo Lopez and Kendall Graveman will probably get the first crack to close games during Hendriks’ absence. Kelly might be needed to close a game or two depending on if Lopez and Graveman are not available.
Kelly bouncing back will help immensely when it comes to high-leverage situations. Garrett Crochet should be back sometime this season after missing all of 2022 because of Tommy John surgery. It means for the time being, Kelly might be the first right-handed pitcher out of the bullpen to be used in a high-leverage situation.
On the other hand, he could be the last depending on how Grifol uses his bullpen. He may use Graveman or Lopez first depending on a matchup and then count on Kelly to close out a game.
Luckily for the Chicago White Sox, Kelly is projected to bounce back. It is just a projection that the Sox need to see happen.
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