Kelly needs to refine his command overall and become more efficient, according to Red Sox manager John Farrell, who wants to see the right-hander go deeper into games, the Providence Journal reports. Kelly walked nearly four batters per nine innings last season for St. Louis and Boston, with that number increasing to 4.7 per nine while with the Red Sox. In order to get more innings, limiting walks is important, but so is managing counts -- throwing first-pitch strikes and getting ahead in counts.

Kelly will pitch the Grapefruit League opener Thursday against the Twins, WEEI.com reports. Thursday will be Boston's first spring-training game against major-league competition. On Tuesday, when they kick off competitive game with a double-header against Northeastern University and Boston College, Clay Buchholz, Rick Porcello and Wade Miley are scheduled to pitch. Those scheduled assignments suggest Kelly is fourth in the starting rotation.

Kelly logged seven strong innings Sunday, allowing three hits and two earned runs in a winning decision over the Orioles. Kelly, who struck out five and walked three, has settled down recently, going at least six innings in five consecutive starts. He's recorded a 4.00 ERA to go with a 38:30 K:BB ratio in eight starts (54 innings) since joining up with the Red Sox.

Kelly allowed four runs on five hits and two walks while striking out three in six innings in Sunday's win over the Royals. After a second-inning, three-run homer, Kelly settled in nicely. This was just the second time in eight starts with Boston in which Kelly has walked fewer than three batters. In 47 innings for the Red Sox, he's walked 27. Kelly's time in Boston has been a mixed bag, but he appears headed for a spot in the 2015 rotation.

Kelly lost Monday against the Orioles as he pitched 6.1 innings and allowed four runs (three earned), six hits and three walks to go along with six strikeouts. Kelly didn't get any run support Monday, but he pitched pretty well yet again for the Red Sox. He has increased his strikeout totals of late as well as he has recorded 21 strikeouts over his last 24 innings.

Kelly grabbed the win against the Yankees Tuesday, tossing 6.2 shaky innings that featured three earned runs on five hits, four walks, six strikeouts and a home run. The righty didn't make earning his first win of the season (in 13 appearances) easy on himself, managing just 15-of-27 first-pitch strikes. Nonetheless, the win gives him a 1-1 record to go with an ERA of 4.13 and a WHIP of 1.39. Kelly is scheduled to take on the Blue Jays in his next start Sunday.

Kelly is starting Tuesday's contest against the Yankees in New York, Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe reports. In five nods with the Red Sox since his arrival at the trade deadline, Kelly boasts a 3.86 ERA, 1.321 WHIP, and 18:18 K:BB in 28 innings. Although some discomfort in his right shoulder threatened to wipe away his last start Wednesday, he managed to keep the Blue Jays in check, giving up two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out four in six frames.

Kelly gave up two runs on three hits over six innings in a no-decision against the Blue Jays on Wednesday. He pitched well enough to keep the Red Sox in the game, but the Jays managed to plate three runs against the Boston relief corps after Kelly's exit. Barring a change in the schedule, Kelly is positioned for two starts next week, including a Tuesday road trip to Yankee Stadium and a home start against the Blue Jays on September 7.

Kelly (shoulder) has been confirmed as Wednesday's starter against the Blue Jays. Shoulder discomfort cut Kelly's last outing short after five innings, but the Red Sox were adamant that his removal was strictly precautionary and the right-hander will indeed be fine to toe the rubber Wednesday opposite Marcus Stroman. Kelly received the green light after successfully completing a bullpen session Sunday.

Kelly (shoulder) threw a bullpen session without incident Sunday, the Boston Globe reports. Kelly, who left his last start with shoulder discomfort, is expected to take his next turn Wednesday.