The Philadelphia Phillies have built one of Major League Baseball’s deepest pitching staffs in recent years, but one former organizational arm is once again looking for a fresh start after being let go by his current club.
Right-handed pitcher Michael Kelly was officially released by the Athletics on July 5 after previously being designated for assignment, bringing another chapter of his professional career to a close. The move makes the five-year MLB veteran a free agent, allowing him to sign with any organization as teams continue searching for pitching depth ahead of the trade deadline.
Kelly is a familiar name to Phillies fans despite never making a regular-season appearance for the club. Philadelphia acquired the veteran from the Baltimore Orioles in December 2021, adding him as a potential bullpen option while strengthening the organization’s pitching depth.
Although Kelly spent the entire 2022 season with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, he never earned a call-up to the major league roster. He became a free agent following the campaign, ending his brief stint in the Phillies organization before eventually landing with the Athletics.
His opportunity in Oakland allowed him to return to the major leagues, where he continued building on a career that has now spanned parts of five MLB seasons. Throughout that time, Kelly has served primarily as a relief pitcher, bouncing between organizations while providing experienced bullpen depth.
The Athletics ultimately decided to move in a different direction after removing Kelly from their 40-man roster on June 29. He cleared waivers before being granted his outright release, making him immediately available on the open market.
While Kelly’s departure has no direct impact on Philadelphia’s current roster, it highlights the organization’s long-standing emphasis on stockpiling pitching talent. The Phillies have consistently added experienced arms throughout the organization, giving themselves multiple options whenever injuries or roster changes arise.
That approach has helped Philadelphia maintain one of baseball’s strongest pitching staffs, with the front office continuing to value organizational depth both at the major league and Triple-A levels.
As the trade deadline approaches, Kelly could quickly attract interest from clubs seeking veteran bullpen help. With five seasons of major league experience and the flexibility to provide relief innings, the 32-year-old may not remain on the free-agent market for long.
For the Phillies, Kelly’s release serves as a reminder of the many pitchers who have passed through the organization in recent years. Although his time in Philadelphia never extended beyond Triple-A, he remains part of the club’s recent history as another veteran arm who helped provide valuable organizational depth.