Joe Kelly is officially back with the Dodgers. The club officially announced he's been activated and will be available for tonight's game against the Reds at Dodger Stadium. In a surprising corresponding move, reliever Phil Bickford was designated for assignment.

Lance Lynn will be activated tomorrow or by Monday. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he'll start either Tuesday or Wednesday against the A's.

Kelly returns after a nearly two year absence from LA. In his previous tenure with the Dodgers, he posted a 3.59 ERA over 115 games. He'll slide into the backend of the bullpen where he'll join Brusdar Graterol and Caleb Ferguson in setting up for Evan Phillips.

Phil Bickford has spent parts of the last three seasons in the Dodger bullpen where he's battled inconsistency throughout a season. With Kelly joining the staff and the idea that the club is trying to "raise the floor" of the 40 man roster, it makes sense that Bickford would be the odd man out for LA.

He posted a 4.11 ERA over 154 games since 2021, mostly on the back of an impressive 2.50 showing over 56 games in '21. He's been out of minor league options, so the Dodgers have held onto him at the big league level for perhaps longer than they would have liked. 

More Dodgers News

Mookie Betts was pulled from the starting lineup as he deals with an ankle issue. David Peralta took his place at the top of the order and Chris Taylor slotted in at second base for the All-Star.