White Sox veteran right-hander Joe Kelly was placed on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation Thursday before the team’s doubleheader against the Toronto Blue Jays, the club announced.
Righty Nick Padilla was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte to take Kelly’s spot on the roster. Right-hander Jimmy Lambert was added from Charlotte as the 27th player for the doubleheader.
Kelly’s IL placement is retroactive to July 5 with right elbow inflammation. Manager Pedro Grifol said Kelly’s elbow flared up after his last appearance Tuesday when he gave up Vladimir Guerrero’s game-winning home run.
Grifol said he expects Kelly to return after the 15 days are up, when the team is in New York to playing the Mets June 19.
“He’s going to rest up, regroup,” Grifol said.
“But there’s nothing really that’s alarming or concerning, he’s just going to take a break.”
Kelly, who signed a two-year, $17 million contract before last season, is 1-4 with a 4.82 ERA and one save in 29 relief appearances after he pitched to a 6.08 ERA in 37 games in the first year of the contract. He made 10 consecutive scoreless appearances between April 30 and May 23 shortly after coming off the IL with a groin strain.
Lambert is 2-1 with a 6.85 ERA with the Sox in 2023.
Padilla is 2-1 with a 4.08 ERA over 26 relief appearances with Charlotte.
