Kimbrel activated from DL; Kelly optioned

SEATTLE — Exactly three weeks after undergoing left knee surgery, Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel was activated for Monday’s game in Seattle.

“We’ve put a lot of work in to get me where I am,” said Kimbrel. “I haven’t hit a lot of speedbumps so it’s been great. I’m getting a little tired of watching the games on TV. I’m ready to get down to the bullpen and watch it from there.”

To make room for Kimbrel on the roster, right-hander Joe Kelly was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket.

Brad Ziegler had been holding down the ninth inning for the Red Sox with Kimbrel and Koji Uehara (strained right pectoral muscle) on the disabled list at the same time, but the side-winder can now move to the eighth inning.

Kimbrel needed just one Minor League rehab appearance before returning to the Red Sox. He last pitched for Boston on July 6 before being shut down with a torn meniscus in his left knee. The hard-throwing righty All-Star has converted 17 of 19 save opportunities.

“It’s going to be good to get back on the field,” said …

continue reading in source mlb.mlb.com