The move comes as Chicago continues to work through injuries within its pitching staff. Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer has stressed that the team’s focus is not yet on the trade deadline, but the organization has remained active in seeking additional pitching options through smaller transactions.

Kelly, 26, joined Los Angeles on a minor league contract in November and spent the 2026 season at Triple-A Oklahoma City. Although he has not yet reached the major leagues, the left-hander has long been viewed as a pitcher with significant strikeout ability. This season, he continued to miss bats at a strong rate, recording more than a strikeout per inning. However, command issues remained a concern, as he carried an 18.1% walk rate along with a 5.16 expected ERA and 6.38 expected FIP at Triple-A.

Kelly originally entered professional baseball as a second-round pick of the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2019 MLB Draft. During Craig Counsell’s time with Milwaukee, Kelly developed in the Brewers’ farm system before being traded to the Texas Rangers at the 2022 trade deadline in a deal that also included Matt Bush and Mark Mathias.

Since then, Kelly has spent time in the Rangers, Colorado Rockies, and Dodgers organizations. He appeared in 34 games for Colorado’s Triple-A affiliate last season, finishing with a 5.63 ERA. Earlier this year, he impressed during Dodgers spring training, throwing 9.2 scoreless innings while producing a 34.2% strikeout rate.

Still, Kelly remained in Triple-A and did not receive a major league opportunity with Los Angeles. The Cubs are now taking a chance on the hard-throwing lefty as the team looks to bolster a bullpen that owns a 3.69 ERA but a 4.51 expected ERA. Given Chicago’s current pitching injuries, Kelly could emerge as a depth option for the major league roster in the coming weeks.