Successful 'pen session prepares Kelley for rehab stint

SAN DIEGO -- Shawn Kelley threw a bullpen session before Wednesday's game against the Astros, which went well enough that the Padres are prepared to send the right-handed relief pitcher out on a Minor League rehab stint beginning Friday.

Kelley, on the disabled list since April 23 with a strained left calf, said he threw 25 pitches in front of manager Bud Black and pitching coach Darren Balsley. This followed another bullpen session on Monday where he "got after it pretty good."

"I feel good, I feel like I need to take this into some live situations," Kelley said.

Kelley will pitch Friday for Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore, which is located one hour north of downtown San Diego. He'll likely head to Triple-A El Paso early next week to continue his rehabilitation.

"I wasn't very concerned about the calf," Kelley said. "I thought it would be ready in three, four days."

Once the calf felt fine, Kelley used his time on the disabled list to work on his mechanics under Balsley's watchful eye. It's something he's worked on for the last three weeks, working to keep his front shoulder closed during his delivery.

Kelley, who has allowed six earned runs over 5 1/3 innings this season, believes he'll be in a better position to succeed once he's reinstated from the DL.

"I've always been able to turn a negative into a positive," Kelley said of using his time on the disabled list to work on his mechanics.

Black said Kelley is ready to get in games.

"He's ready to go, and he feels good," Black said. "There's a number of things he and Darren have worked on that will go into effect Friday. There's a couple more games for him scheduled for next week that will hopefully prepare him for his return to us."