Nationals manager Dusty Baker acknowledged after Thursday's game that Kelley would be his interim closer while Jonathan Papelbon (intercostal) was on the DL, The Washington Post reports. "This is what we settled upon," Baker said. "Mike [Maddux, the pitching coach] and I talked about it, and we think he's best suited for that until Pap gets back."

EDGE Analysis

He's pitched three times in the last four days, including 1.7 innings in Wednesday's extra-inning win over the Cubs in a non-save situation, so Kelley isn't likely to be available Friday should the Nats have a late-inning lead to protect. With Papelbon's return date uncertain, however, Kelley should get plenty of save chances over the coming weeks.