Dodgers expected to re-sign Joe Kelly for one year

The Dodgers declined a $9.5 million option and allowed the reliever to become a free agent, but now they are set to bring him back on a new, one-year contract

LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers have reached agreement on a new contract for veteran reliever Joe Kelly.

According to multiple reports, Kelly will re-sign with the Dodgers for one year. The salary will almost certainly be less than the $9.5 million option the Dodgers declined last month, paying Kelly $1 million instead and letting him become a free agent.

The signing is not likely to become official in short order. The Dodgers currently have 39 spots filled on their 40-man roster, with another contract agreement with outfielder Jason Heyward pending the results of his physical.

The 35-year-old Kelly spent three seasons with the Dodgers (2019-21), becoming a fan favorite for his confrontation with Carlos Correa in Houston and his fashion choice (a mariachi jacket) when visiting the White House with the 2020 championship team. He left as a free agent, signing with the Chicago White Sox but returned in a midseason trade last season.

In 31 games with the White Sox last season, Kelly had a 4.97 ERA but strong underlying numbers – including 41 strikeouts in 29 innings. In 11 appearances for the Dodgers, he had a 1.74 ERA while allowing just three hits and striking out 19 of 40 batters faced. Kelly also went to the injured list three times in 2023 — twice with the White Sox (a groin strain in April and elbow inflammation in July) and once with the Dodgers (forearm inflammation in August).

As the Dodgers head to the Winter Meetings next week, their offseason has largely consisted of putting last season’s roster back together. Max Muncy signed a contract extension. Kelly, Heyward and Yency Almonte agreed to new one-year contracts. The only addition at this point has been minor-league right-hander Ricky Vanasco, signed to a major-league contract.