Kelly is expected to be Boston's set up man after it was learned Tyler Thornburg (shoulder) will "most likely" begin the season on the disabled list, Tim Britton of the Providence Journal reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kelly flourished as a full-time reliever last season, particularly his finish to the 2016 season in Boston, but has had an uneven spring, with seven strikeouts and seven walks over eight innings. Manager John Farrell feels Kelly is trying to be too perfect on every pitch and wants the right-hander to trust his stuff and get ahead of batters. As the eighth-inning reliever, Kelly is in position for save opportunities when closer Craig Kimbrel is not available.

Kelly will be Boston's primary setup man if Tyler Thornburg (arm) is not ready by the regular season, Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Red Sox still feel Thornburg will be ready for the start of the season, though he may not be ready for the high-leverage situations for which they acquired him. In that event, Kelly will move up from the seventh inning to set up closer Craig Kimbrel.

Kelly walked one and struck out one in one scoreless inning Tuesday against the Blue Jays.

EDGE Analysis

Kelly has yet to give up a run in five spring innings over five appearances. He'll be a full-time reliever in 2017 and is in position, along with Tyler Thornburg, to set up for closer Craig Kimbrel. With Thornburg having been delayed the last couple of weeks due to arm issues, a product of adjusting to the training program of a new team, Kelly stands to increase his role should Thornburg open the season on the disabled list or in a state of reduced effectiveness.

Kelly shortened the arm action in his delivery last season when he was moved to the bullpen full time, Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal reports. After moving to the pen, Kelly had a 1.02 ERA and 1.019 WHIP, striking out 21 and walking five over 17.2 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Instead of raring back and seeing how high he could register on the radar gun, Kelly kept his arm closer to his body, an adjustment that led to a more consistent release point and allowed him to stay on top of his pitches. That in turn led to consistent location of those pitches -- a fastball directed to the outside corner, stayed on the corner. And likewise pitches thrown on the inside corner. No longer were his pitches leaking over the plate where they could get hammered. It's a whole new world for Kelly in the pen. He'll be an important setup piece for closer Craig Kimbrel and will get fireman duty in high-leverage, non-save situations.

Kelly's defined role for 2017 will be as a reliever, Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

After five years of tempting both the Cardinals and Red Sox as a potential starter, Kelly made the transition to full-time reliever during the second half of last season. The right-hander struck out 21 while allowing just two earned runs in 17.2 innings out of the pen. He and his high-90s fastball will be called on mostly for seventh-inning duty.

Kelly agreed to a one-year deal with the Red Sox on Friday, avoiding arbitration.

EDGE Analysis

The terms of the agreement were not made available. Kelly made the successful transition from starter to reliever last season and figures to occupy a mid-to-late-leverage role once again in 2017.

Kelly pitched the final 2.2 innings in Boston's 3-2 extra-inning win over the Rays on Sunday. He allowed two hits and struck out four to earn the win.

EDGE Analysis

Kelly came on in the eighth inning after Tampa Bay had tied the game and induced a double-play grounder to ward off any further damage. It was another strong effort for Kelly and a sign of the growing confidence manager John Farrell has in the fire-balling right-hander, who has picked up more high-leverage work over the month of September.

Kelly was credited with the win Thursday night after pitching a scoreless ninth inning in Boston's 7-5 walk-off win over the Yankees. He allowed two hits and a walk while striking out two.

EDGE Analysis

Kelly made it squirmy, loading the bases with one out, but escaped damage, leaving the deficit manageable for Boston, who went on to score five in the bottom of the ninth to win it. The right-hander with the high-90s fastball has not allowed a run since being called up from Triple-A Pawtucket at the beginning of September. In seven innings, he's allowed five hits and four walks while striking out 11.

Kelly was used in the eighth inning of Boston's 2-1 loss to San Diego on Monday. He struck out two Padres in his scoreless inning.

EDGE Analysis

Interesting to see Kelly get the call in the eighth inning of a tight game. It was his second consecutive appearance in the eighth, though his first one had little on the line. Since being called up, Kelly has struck out four in two innings without giving up a run. Manager John Farrell is desperate to find some consistent arms for high-leverage situations, so Kelly may be seen more often as a bridge to closer Craig Kimbrel.

The Red Sox recalled Kelly from Triple-A Pawtucket on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Kelly posted a woeful 7.62 ERA over nine outings with the Red Sox earlier this season and was sent to the minors Aug. 1. However, he appeared to turn things around with Pawtucket, posting a 0.82 ERA and 16:1 K:BB in 11 innings over nine August outings. Kelly can start games, but he will likely work out of the bullpen in his latest go-around with the big club.