Kelly was assured by manager John Farrell that he will be in Boston's starting rotation when the 2016 season begins, the Boston Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kelly may start the season in the rotation, but if he gets off to a slow start, Farrell's in no position to be patient with him. Farrell, a manager that's guided Boston to two consecutive last-place finishes, could be forced to relegate Kelly to the bullpen or Triple-A and use one of the team's depth-starting options.