As the offseason continues, veteran MLB players are deciding whether to continue their careers or move on as opportunities dry up. For the second straight day, a former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher has announced he’s done playing in the majors. After Andrew Heaney’s decision yesterday, Joe Kelly has now followed suit. Kelly, a two-time World Series winner, appears to have reached the end of his playing days.
Kelly did not appear in the 2025 season and recently shared a farewell message making it clear he does not consider himself “retired.” He explained that he believes the term should be reserved for people in traditional professions, not professional athletes.
Joe Kelly Wraps Up His MLB Career
Kelly’s MLB run lasted 13 seasons, during which he posted a 3.98 ERA across 839 innings and 485 appearances. He worked both as a starter and reliever throughout his career and finishes with 767 strikeouts. Although never named an All-Star, Kelly was known for his high-velocity arm, even as injuries and control issues limited him at times.
Speaking with WEEI’s Rob Bradford, Kelly explained his stance on retirement, saying athletes simply stop playing rather than truly retiring, a term he feels belongs to military members and lifelong workers.
Kelly spent five seasons each with the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers. He played a key role on championship teams and became especially popular with Dodgers fans for his outspoken reactions toward Astros hitters following the sign-stealing scandal.
From St. Louis to the Bullpen
Kelly began his career with the St. Louis Cardinals, debuting in 2012 as a starter. After making 38 starts over two and a half seasons, he was traded to Boston, where he initially remained in the rotation before transitioning to a bullpen role that better suited his skill set.
In 2019, the Southern California native returned home by signing with the Dodgers. Over five seasons in Los Angeles, he recorded a 3.72 ERA in 147.2 innings.
If Kelly’s playing career is officially over, he leaves behind a memorable tenure as a hard-throwing, competitive pitcher. Heavy on Sports wishes him success in whatever comes next beyond baseball.