Joe Kelly
RP FA
Wed 7/10/13 7:08 PM

Joe Kelly will have his first turn in the rotation after the All-Star break skipped. The Cardinals have an off day the Monday after the break, so Kelly likely won't make a start until the last weekend of the month. He'll be used in long relief after making his final start prior to the break on Friday.

Joe Kelly
RP FA
Sat 7/6/13 5:23 PM

Making his second start of the season, Joe Kelly yielded four runs over six innings in a no-decision against the Marlins. Kelly really struggled in the middle innings, but finished strong and kept his team in the ballgame. All told, he allowed five hits (including a pair of home runs) and two walks while striking out five. He was pulled after throwing 78 pitches. Kelly has been really good out of the bullpen this season, so the Cardinals may give prospect right-hander Carlos Martinez a shot in the rotation before long.

Joe Kelly
RP FA
Sat 6/29/13 12:59 AM

Joe Kelly allowed just one run in 5 1/3 innings out of the pen against the A's on Friday. Kelly, who is scheduled to join the rotation on July 6, picked up the slack after Shelby Miller was pulled in the second inning. He might make one more relief appearance before he gets his first start, but since he threw 79 pitches tonight, he won't be available for a few days.

Joe Kelly
RP FA
Tue 6/25/13 8:42 PM

The Cardinals will skip Joe Kelly's next turn in the rotation. Manager Mike Matheny named Kelly the team's new No. 5 starter over the weekend, but with three off days over the next couple weeks, he won't be needed until July 6. Kelly will be available in relief over the next week or so while he waits for his start. "We're going to skip Joe Kelly in the rotation this first time through," Matheny said. "Everybody will still get one day's extra rest, so it's going to be normal for them. They won't know the difference."

Joe Kelly
RP FA
Sun 6/23/13 12:06 PM

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny has named Joe Kelly the team's new No. 5 starter. Multiple upcoming off days could mean that Kelly won't get a start for a while, but when there's a need for a fifth starter, he'll get the ball. It's not a surprise after Kelly tossed five scoreless innings in relief Friday after a short outing from Tyler Lyons. Kelly got off to a slow start but holds a 2.70 ERA since the beginning of May. He's worth scooping up in deeper leagues.

Joe Kelly
RP FA
Thu 6/6/13 12:09 AM

Joe Kelly allowed two runs -- one earned -- over 5 2/3 innings Wednesday in a loss to the Diamondbacks. It was a spot start for Kelly and he actually pitched pretty well, but the Cardinals offense didn't offer much support. The right-hander will head back to the bullpen.

Joe Kelly
RP FA
Mon 6/3/13 4:59 PM

Joe Kelly will start Wednesday against the Diamondbacks. The Cardinals need a spot-starter following Saturday's doubleheader, so Kelly is a logical fit. The 24-year-old has a 6.19 ERA and 19/7 K/BB ratio in 18 2/3 innings across 16 relief appearances this season. He's not really an option in mixed fantasy leagues.

Joe Kelly
RP FA
Mon 3/25/13 5:16 PM

Joe Kelly gave up two runs in two innings of relief Monday against the Twins. The way the Cardinals used Shelby Miller and Kelly today waa dead giveaway that they intended to make Miller the fifth starter and put Kelly in middle relief initially. Kelly probably won't be worth using in NL-only leagues until he gets a chance to start.

Joe Kelly
RP FA
Tue 3/19/13 4:42 PM

Joe Kelly struggled in relief Tuesday, giving up four runs and eight hits in three innings against the Marlins. It sounded like the Cardinals would name their fifth starter last week, which would have been good news for Kelly. They chose to wait, however, and Shelby Miller was the far more effective of the two pitchers today, going four scoreless innings. We still think they're leaning Kelly, but Miller is the more exciting of the two for fantasy purposes.

Joe Kelly
RP FA
Thu 3/14/13 4:03 PM

Joe Kelly was effective in his start Thursday, holding the Braves to one run in four innings. Kelly likely clinched the fifth spot in the St. Louis rotation with the showing. He should have a little value in NL-only leagues early on, but we're guessing that he gets bumped back to middle relief eventually. Shelby Miller and Michael Wacha are going to be tough to hold back.