Texas Rangers relief pitcher Shawn Kelley (biceps) will be activated for Wednesday's game at Cleveland. Kelley has 11 saves on the season and was being used as the primary closer when he went on the injured list, but likely won't be used for saves right away. Manager Chris Woodward said he believed Jose Leclerc earned his way back into the closer's role and has converted the last two save chances for Texas. Kelley will join Jesse Chavez in a setup role with Kelley's closing experience likely making him next in line for saves should Leclerc slip up again. For now, Leclerc needs to be owned in any league where saves are a category with Kelley not holding much fantasy value.
Texas Rangers relief pitcher Shawn Kelley (biceps) was removed from Sunday's game while taking his warmup pitches. Kelley felt soreness in his right biceps tendon and will undergo further evaluation according to John Blake, the Executive Vice President of Communications for the Rangers. Kelley has 11 saves on the season and had taken over the role as primary closer for the team in recent weeks. Jose Leclerc would be the logical saves source in Texas if Kelley requires a stint on the injured list.
Texas Rangers closer allowed just one hit in 1 1/3 scoreless innings with two strikeouts in Sunday's 7-4 victory against the Chicago White Sox, nailing down his 10th save of the season. It was also his first four-out save since June 29, 2016 in a game against the New York Mets when he was a member of the Washington Nationals. He has converted 10 of his 13 save chances since taking over as the closer in late April after Jose Leclerc was removed from the role. He has seen his ERA balloon from 1.59 to 2.89 just since May 24, but he remains a solid fantasy closer in most formats.
Texas Rangers closerShawn Kelley gave up two hits and a run but earned his ninth save of the season Wednesday versus the Indians. Kelley, who was tasked with protecting a three-run lead, made things interesting by giving up a home run and bringing the tying run to the plate but escaped to earn the save. Kelley has now given up three runs in six appearances this month while going 3-for-5 in save chances. He's certainly been shaky but Jose Leclerc, the presumed closer coming into the season, has also had his struggles and doesn't appear to be earning the closer's job anytime soon. For now, Kelley appears to be the closer and as such should be owned in any format where saves are scarce.
Texas Rangers relief pitcher Shawn Kelley recorded his sixth save of the season Wednesday afternoon vs the Mariners. Kelley made things interesting in the ninth, putting two men on base before striking out Domingo Santana and getting Kyle Seager to ground into a game-ending double play. Kelley is clearly the man to own in the Rangers' bullpen as Jose Leclerc has been serving as an opener including a start Wednesday. Kelley doesn't have the dominant stuff you like to see from a closer with only a 22.4 percent strikeout rate, but he has five saves this month and his overall usage has been that of a typical closer. He should be owned in all leagues where saves are a category.
Texas Rangers relief pitcher Shawn Kelley couldn't protect a one-run lead Saturday giving up two earned runs in his second blown save of the season. Kelley retired the first batter he faced before giving up a single and double to tie the game. After recording the second out, he allowed a pop-up that landed in no man's land between the shortstop and left fielder giving the Angels a walk-off win. Kelley has been good so far as the closer with five saves and a 2.55 ERA but Jose Leclerc is lurking to take saves chances if Kelley has a few more tough outings. For now, Kelley needs to be owned in all leagues where saves are a category but owners should monitor the Texas bullpen and possibly stash LeClerc in deep rotisserie leagues.
The Texas Rangers activated relief pitcher Shawn Kelley (illness) from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday and optioned pitcher Brett Martin to the minors in a corresponding move. Kelley had surgery to remove lymph nodes from his vocal cords last week. He'll return to a 3-0 record, 1.29 ERA, 0.71 WHIP, 12 K's and two saves in 14 innings over 14 outings. While Kelley might not immediately jump back into the closer's role, he should eventually return there with Jose Leclerc being demoted from the role. Snag Kelley off the waiver wire if he was dropped by his previous owner and you're in need of saves.
Texas Rangers relief pitcher Shawn Kelley (illness) is scheduled to throw a simulated game on Sunday. Assuming everything goes well, Kelley could be activated from the injured list on Monday. Kelley had surgery last week to remove lymph nodes from his vocal cords. Kelley was the closer in Arlington before landing on the injured list, so he's likely going to return to that role.
Shawn Kelley Could Return Monday After Lumps Removed From Throat
Texas Rangers reliever Shawn Kelley underwent surgery to remove lumps from his throat after he was placed on the IL last week with an "infection." Results from the biopsy are pending, but Kelley hopes to return to the Rangers bullpen Monday when he's first eligible. He'll throw a session on Saturday, and if he experiences no discomfort with his incision on his chin, he should be activated. It remains to be seen if Kelley will immediately return to his closing role after proving to be the most reliable reliever with Jose Leclerc struggling. Kelley is still worth a speculative add if we hear that his session goes well as saves remain an elusive category in 2019.
Chris Martin (RP, TEX) - Closers and Saves Waiver Wire Adds
BALLER MOVE: Addin 12+ Team LeaguesOWNED IN: 4% of YahooLeaguesANALYSIS:Earlier today the Texas Rangers placed Shawn Kelley on the injured list with an infection. Kelley had been acting as the Rangers closer ever since Jose Leclerc was removed from the role. It's unclear how long Kelley will be out for, so it's time to speculate for saves chasers.In a related story, Chris Martin notched the save last night for the Rangers and now we know why Kelley wasn't used. I would expect for him to continue to be used as the closer, as he's pitched pretty well all season long posting a 3.14 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 15:3 K:BB in 14.1 IP. There is a possibility that Leclerc can see saves chances again shortly, as his last two outings have gone much better than his previous implosions.Our best guess is that the Rangers will continue to use Leclerc in non-save situations for a while longer, to make sure that he can really be trusted again. In the meantime, Chris Martin makes for a fine speculative add for those in saves leagues looking to potentially snag some off the waiver wire. He's currently only 4% owned and can be had easily in most leagues.
