BOSTON -- The Red Sox are targeting Saturday to activate reliever Joe Kelly from the disabled list.
The right-hander completed a perfect inning of relief while on a rehab assignment for Triple-A Pawtucket on Wednesday night. Kelly threw eight pitches -- six for strikes -- and struck out one.
"It was a quick inning of work [Wednesday] night," Red Sox manager John Farrell said before Thursday's series opener against the White Sox at Fenway Park. "He went down to the bullpen, was able to get up over 20-plus pitches combined between the inning of work and some bullpen work. Arm-wise and hamstring-wise, he came out of it fine."
Kelly was placed on the disabled list July 15 with a left hamstring strain. The Red Sox will continue to keep Kelly on his same program leading up to Saturday.
Video: BOS@KC: Kelly escapes a bases-loaded jam in the 7th
"He went through some ground day stuff today," Farrell said. "Some running ... he came out of [Wednesday] night's outing in good shape. The plan would be to get off the mound just lightly [Friday] -- just some touch and feel."
Kelly is 3-1 with a 1.49 ERA in 34 appearances for the Red Sox. He worked as the setup man to closer Craig Kimbrel for part of the season, but with the acquisition of Addison Reed, Kelly's role in the bullpen is likely to be altered.
Worth noting
• David Price, who was placed on the 10-day DL on July 28 with elbow inflammation, was slated to throw a third flat-ground session Thursday. The Red Sox have not confirmed if the left-hander will require a Minor League rehab start.
• Catcher Sandy Leon is set to rejoin the starting lineup Sunday against the White Sox. Leon has been only available in emergency situations due to a sore right knee.
• Second baseman Dustin Pedroia will likely start baseball activities this weekend, according to Farrell. Pedroia went on the 10-day DL on Tuesday due to inflammation in his left knee.