ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Right-handed pitcher Kevin Kelly has become the first James Madison player to make a Major League Baseball roster since Ryan Reid in 2013, as the Tampa Bay Rays have announced him as part of its 26-man roster ahead of the 2023 season. His debut will make him the 13th player in program history to play in an MLB game.

Kelly was originally drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 19th round of the 2019 Draft before being selected by the Colorado Rockies in this year’s Rule 5 Draft. The Rockies then traded him to the Rays.

The right-hander made 11 appearances this year in spring training, sporting a 3.38 ERA in 13.1 innings with 21 strikeouts and a save. He earned an 11-7 record with 13 saves across his minor league career, pitching in 130.2 innings across 102 appearances for an ERA of 3.17 and 181 strikeouts.

In three seasons in Harrisonburg, Kelly made 54 appearances with 26 starts as he posted a 15-13 record with a 3.37 ERA. He pitched 189.2 innings while striking out 207 batters to only 48 walks. He currently sits at sixth in single-season strikeouts and ninth in career strikeouts with the program.

The Rays begin its season hosting the Detroit Tigers on Thursday, March 30 with a 3:10 p.m. start.

— JMU Athletics —