The Los Angeles Dodgers officially re-signed Joe Kelly, who is going to wear No. 99 for the team during the 2024 season. Kelly’s new jersey number is a result of allowing Shohei Ohtani to take No. 17 on the Dodgers roster.
Kelly is back with the Dodgers after receiving a $1 million buyout due to an $8.5 million team option for 2024 being declined. He was a free agent for roughly one month before agreeing to re-sign with the Dodgers on a one-year, $8 million deal.
The right-hander initially returned to the organization at the trade deadline this year as part of a deal with the Chicago White Sox that also brought Lance Lynn to the Dodgers. Lynn had his team option declined as well, received a buyout and went on to sign with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Kelly enjoyed better results after being traded to the Dodgers but was marred by a five-week stint on the 15-day injured list due to right elbow inflammation. He had previously missed time in April because of a right groin strain and 16 days in July with elbow trouble.
Kelly went 1-0 with a 1.74 ERA, 1.32 FIP, 0.87 WHIP and averaged 16.5 strikeouts per nine innings across 11 appearances for the Dodgers. In 42 games overall this past season, he finished with a combined 4.12 ERA and 2.72 FIP while striking out 35.7% of batters faced.
In light of Kelly agreeing to terms with the Dodgers before Ohtani’s free agency decision, the team reportedly asked the ever-popular relief pitcher if he would be open to wearing a new number.
It wasn’t going to be an issue for Kelly, who recently joked about the possibility on the “Baseball Isn’t Boring” podcast, but his wife Ashley also posted a campaign on social media to recruit and offer No. 17 to Ohtani.
Joe Kelly number history
Kelly wore No. 58 while with the Cardinals from 2012-2014. Kelly’s jersey number history added No. 56 with the Boston Red Sox from 2014-2018 before switching to 17, which most fans associate him with over multiple stints with the Dodgers and while a member of the White Sox.
Kelly is now becoming the first Dodgers player to wear No. 99 since Hyun-Jin Ryu (2013-2019). Manny Ramirez (2008-2010) also wore 99 with the Dodgers.
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