Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Joe Kelly will take the mound this week after a month-long absence.

“#Dodgers reliever Joe Kelly, who has missed about a month because of elbow/forearm inflammation, is expected to be activated for Wednesday night's game vs. #Padres, MGR Dave Roberts said,” per Los Angeles Times sports reporter Mike DiGiovanna.

The Dodgers placed the 35-year-old Kelly in their 15-day injured list last month. He reportedly threw a bullpen session just several days after he injured his elbow and forearm. However, it has taken him almost a month to take the mound again. Prior to Kelly's elbow/forearm injury, he had a 4.41 ERA, 48 strikeouts, and one save.

Joe Kelly is a 12-year MLB veteran who is in his second tour of duty with the Dodgers. He previously played for Los Angeles from 2019 to 2021. Kelly earned a World Series ring with the Dodgers after they beat the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2020 World Series. He also earned a World Series ring with the Boston Red Sox in 2018.

The Dodgers reacquired Joe Kelly in a trade with the Chicago White Sox on July 29. His return is encouraging considering Los Angeles' pitching rotation has had several key injuries including Walker Buehler, Blake Treinen, Daniel Hudson, Yency Almonte, and Gus Varland.

Kelly and the Dodgers (87-55) currently have a comfortable 13-game lead on the Arizona Diamondbacks (75-69) in the NL West division. However, Los Angeles has won just four of its past 10 games. The Dodgers must get their act together so they can clinch a postseason berth and the division.

Joe Kelly's return to the Dodgers' bullpen this week is an encouraging sign.