Red Sox Lose Zack Kelly on Waivers

Boston placed Kelly on outright waivers after designating him for assignment, and no team claimed the pitcher.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Baseball

The Red Sox placed pitcher Zack Kelly on outright waivers, and he went unclaimed, making him eligible to become a free agent. Kelly's 2026 season ended after a fracture in his right elbow.

Why it matters

Kelly has more than three years of major league service and is out of minor league options, which made clearing waivers a notable move for Boston. His availability as a free agent leaves the team without a controllable reliever with his track record.

Kelly posted a 19.7% strikeout rate and a 9.9% walk rate in 2026, and his career figures since 2022 show a 22.4% strikeout rate, a 10.2% walk rate and a 45.4% ground-ball rate. His fastball averages 96 mph.

The players

Zack Kelly

Zack Kelly is a right-handed pitcher who debuted in 2022 and began throwing a sinker in 2025.

Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox are a Major League Baseball franchise based in Boston, Massachusetts.

The details

Kelly was designated for assignment, went unclaimed on outright waivers, and cleared the process. His season was originally interrupted by elbow inflammation in late July, and follow-up testing revealed a fracture in his right elbow that ended his 2026 campaign.

Late July 2026: Kelly placed on the injured list for elbow inflammation.
November 6, 2026: Kelly cleared waivers and became eligible for free agency.

Season Trajectory

Kelly's outright waiver case reflects how MLB's minor league option limits force teams to decide quickly whether to keep pitchers on the 40-man roster. Losing a reliever with a 3.31 ERA in limited innings changes the depth picture for a club's bullpen.

Kelly is now a free agent, so any team that signs him could add a reliever with more than three years of major league service. Fantasy managers tracking Boston's bullpen will need to drop him or remove him from rosters if he signs elsewhere.

The takeaway

Roster rules like minor league options can turn a pitcher's injury season into a free-agency decision within months. Readers following Boston's pitching depth should watch how the club rebuilds its bullpen.