Cleveland Guardians Sign LHP Antoine Kelly to Minor League Contract

The Cleveland Guardians have signed left-handed pitcher Antoine Kelly to a minor league contract, the team announced Monday morning on X. The 26-year-old southpaw was invited to major league spring training.

Kelly made his MLB debut with the Chicago Cubs in the 2026 season. The Guardians’ move came amid a quiet MLB offseason thus far, with several minor transactions occurring.

Kelly’s Path to Cleveland

Kelly’s journey through professional baseball has seen him play for multiple organizations. The Milwaukee Brewers selected him in the second round of the 2019 MLB Draft, picking him 65th overall from Wabash Valley College in Illinois.

In August 2022, the Brewers traded Kelly and second baseman Mark Mathias to the Texas Rangers in exchange for right-handed pitcher Matt Bush. The Rangers designated Kelly for assignment in July 2024. He was then claimed off waivers by the Colorado Rockies, where he spent the remainder of the 2024 season and all of 2025 before becoming a free agent.

Kelly Pitched in One MLB Game for the Cubs

Kelly’s lone MLB appearance came with the Chicago Cubs in late July 2026. In his debut against the New York Yankees at Wrigley Field, Kelly pitched 1 1/3 innings, striking out one batter and walking one while allowing no hits or runs.

After his MLB debut, Kelly spent the rest of the season with Triple-A affiliates of the Cubs and Dodgers, combining for 50 2/3 innings. Over that span, he recorded a 4.62 ERA with a 23.7% strikeout rate but also a high 16.7% walk rate.

Kelly has struggled at the Triple-A level over parts of four seasons, logging a 5.82 ERA in 120 2/3 innings. His strikeout rate of 23.5% during that period is considered respectable, but his walk rate of 16.6% has been a persistent issue.

Kelly Possesses a Dominant Fastball and Slider Pairing

Despite his inconsistent performance, Kelly’s potential has been recognized. He is a former second-round pick with a “dominant fastball/slider pairing” that could make him an elite reliever if he can improve his command. Kelly stands 6’5″ and will be 27 years old in December.”

Kelly will be joining his sixth organization, having previously played for the Brewers, Rangers, Rockies, Dodgers, and Cubs. Some of those clubs, particularly Milwaukee and Los Angeles, have a history of developing talented but flawed pitchers, a trend the Guardians hope to replicate.

What’s Next for Kelly and the Guardians

The signing of Kelly gives the Guardians another option for their bullpen. Kelly has one minor league option remaining. If he is added to the 40-man roster, he can be shuttled between Cleveland and its Triple-A affiliate in Columbus for one more season before he would have to remain in the majors.

The Guardians, who won the AL Central Division in 2026 with an 85-77 record, are looking to build on a season that was defined by elite pitching despite having one of the league’s worst offenses. The team defeated the Chicago White Sox in the ALDS after dropping the first two games, then lost to the Tampa Bay Rays in six games in the ALCS.

The next step for Kelly will be to compete for a spot in the Guardians’ bullpen during spring training. The team’s front office will be looking to see if Kelly can finally unlock the potential that made him a highly regarded prospect.