Red Sox ship inconsistent reliever Zack Kelly out to Triple A with plans to cut down on repertoire - The Boston Globe (2025)

The option was the corresponding move to Brayan Bello being activated from the injured list to start the series opener against the Mariners at Fenway Park. Bello picked up the win as the Sox beat Seattle, 8-3.

In seven outings, Kelly was 1-1 with a 9.00 ERA over 10 innings.

“I think it’s consistency,” Cora said. “One good outing a week, is that good enough? Well, it helps, but we know there’s more there. This guy can be a backend reliever on a championship-caliber team. We just have to get there. The whole thing about projections and all that, we have to turn the page and we have to execute it, and he knows it.”

Part of getting there is paring down Kelly’s repertoire. He can throw a four-seamer, a sweeper, a cutter, a changeup, and a sinker. But Cora said not every situation calls for him to reach that deep into his bag.

Against the White Sox, Kelly threw only nine pitches, but used all five options.

“I truly believe sometimes it’s too much, right?” Cora said. “To get three outs, we’re trying to use every weapon instead of just being on the attack and getting people out.”

Kelly had been on the major league roster since the start of the season.

“He’ll be back at some point,” Cora said. “And he’s going to help us win games.”

Injury updates abound

Kutter Crawford threw a 20-pitch bullpen session and the starter, whose 2025 season to this point has been spent on the injured list, will travel Thursday to the team facility in Fort Myers, Fla., as the Sox head out on a six-game road trip.

“I think at this point it’s better for him to be down there and get his work in and face hitters and all that stuff,” Cora said. “Obviously, we go on the road. And it’s home for him [Crawford is a Florida native], so it’s good for him.”

Connor Wong caught Crawford for the bullpen. Cora said the catcher is progressing from a fractured left pinkie suffered earlier this month but still has no timetable for a return from the IL.

“Swinging a little bit,” Cora said. “I think that’s a big step today. So, hopefully, we could speed up the process and he’ll be with us sooner than later.”

Lucas Giolito, who like Crawford has been on the IL since the start of the season, has one more minor league rehab start to make and the plan is for him to join the team next week. Cora said the team will go through this week before deciding when to slot him into the rotation.

Hendriks a ‘full go,’ but caution planned

Now that Liam Hendriks is back in the fold after being out of game action since June 2023, Cora said the team doesn’t plan to limit the righthanded reliever, but will be smart about how he’s used.

“He’s a full go, but, obviously understanding where he’s coming from, we have to be smart,” Cora said. “Liam is going to perform, he’s going to be OK, he’s going to help us win games. But in the beginning, we have to be very careful how we use him.”

In his first appearance for the Red Sox after signing prior to the 2024 season, Hendriks faced five batters and threw 24 pitches in one inning Sunday, allowing two runs to the White Sox on three hits and a walk while striking out one. Since Hendriks is admittedly stubborn, Cora said honest feedback will be important.

“He’ll say he’s available every single day, and we know that’s not the case,” Cora said. “So, we’re getting to know him, the player, right? I’m just happy that he’s back for now, obviously using the right way.”

Hendriks pitched a clean ninth inning, recording two fly outs and a ground out on seven pitches, to close out Seattle.

Casas’s defense questioned

Triston Casas played 20 of the 24 games at first base this season, and Cora described his defense as “inconsistent.” Casas has committed two errors and he rated a -2 for defensive runs saved entering the series opener.

“There’s a few things that we’re working on with him and we believe he can be much better,” Cora said. “I think the first step. We were trying to work on his pre-pitch in spring training. He’s fallen into some bad habits lately, but if we can get that one down, he’ll be better.

“He’s making throws. He makes every throw at first base. That’s really good. But we’ve got to get him moving at first.”

Julian Benbow can be reached at julian.benbow@globe.com.