Casey

Kelly

Kelly made it back to the big leagues last year, making two relief appearances for the Reds, for the first time since 2018. The 35-year-old journeyman will head to Triple-A Reno as emergency organizational depth for Arizona after spending most of the last half-decade overseas as one of the top arms in Korea.

Kelly went unclaimed on waivers after being designated for assignment earlier this week and will head back to Triple-A Louisville. The 34-year-old made a pair of relief appearances for the Reds during a brief stint with the club, his first time back in the big leagues since 2018.

Kelly made two appearances for the Reds and had a 5.06 ERA in 5 1/3 innings. If another team is looking for someone capable of eating innings, the 34-year-old would fit the bill, as he made 19 starts in Korea earlier this year.

The 34-year-old hurler signed a minor league deal in the first week of August and spent a few weeks playing for his father, Pat Kelly, at Triple-A Louisville. There, he made two starts and posted a 4.50 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and a 5/4 K/BB ratio across eight innings. It’s unclear if the Reds plan to have him make a start, or if he’s just up to add length out of the team’s bullpen. Alan Busenitz was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

The 34-year-old hurler will report to Triple-A Louisville where his father, Pat Kelly, is the manager. Kelly has spent the last six seasons pitching for the LG Twins in the Korea Baseball Organization. In 2024 he posted a 4.51 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and a 69/25 K/BB ratio over 113 2/3 innings in his 19 starts. He’ll add rotation depth for the Reds.

Kelly can earn up to $1.8 million this season in Korea. The 33-year-old former top prospect hasn’t appeared in the majors since 2018. He’s spent the last four seasons as one of the premier starting pitchers in the Korea Baseball Organization, posting a 2.86 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 551/173 K/BB ratio across 691 2/3 innings (113 starts) since 2019.

Kelly -- a highly-regarded pitching prospect with the Red Sox over a decade ago -- made 26 appearances (12 starts) with the Padres, Braves and Giants from 2012 to 2018 and returns for a fourth season in Korea. He’ll earn a base salary of $1.2 million -- the highest and can earn an additional $300,000 through incentives. The 32-year-old righty registered a 3.15 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 142/60 K/BB ratio across 177 innings (30 starts) last season.

Kelly might have done enough the last two years in the KBO to earn another shot in Major League Baseball, as he registered a 2.93 ERA in 353 2/3 total innings (57 starts) between the 2019-2020 campaigns. That said, the 31-year-old former first-round pick of the Red Sox could be staring at more guaranteed money overseas.

Kelly will get $1.5 million guaranteed on a one-year deal and has a shot at another $300,000 in performance-based incentives. The 30-year-old right-hander was reportedly drawing interest this winter from multiple MLB teams, but it’s quite possible they were only offering non-guaranteed minor league contracts.

Kelly thrived with the LG Twins in the Korea Baseball Organization this year, posting a 2.55 ERA and 126/41 K/BB ratio over 180 1/3 innings. The former top prospect turned 30 in October and holds a 5.46 ERA in 85 2/3 career major league innings. While teams are intrigued, it’s unclear what sort of offers he’s getting at this stage.