Free Agent starting pitcher Brad Keller was signed by the Boston Red Sox on Sunday, May 26. Zack Kelly was optioned to Triple-A Worcester in the corresponding move. Keller opened the season with the Chicago White Sox primarily in a long relief role but did make two starts. Through his two starts, he posted a hefty 8.32 ERA and 1.73 WHIP. As a reliever, he looked much better as he tossed eight innings to the tune of a 1.13 ERA and 1.00 WHIP. The 28-year-old should be expected to be in a similar role in Boston, as the Red Sox rotation currently has five designated starters. Keller could be worth adding if he makes spot starts during the summer in AL-only formats in the right matchup but should usually be left on all waiver wires as his projected role will not provide him much fantasy value.
Chicago White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said that right-hander Brad Keller will take right-hander Michael Soroka's starting rotation spot moving forward. Keller will move into the back end of Chicago's starting rotation while Soroka moves to a long-relief role out of the bullpen. The 28-year-old Keller has appeared in four games (one start) for Chicago this year and has looked good, posting a 2.84 ERA (3.93 FIP) and 1.18 WHIP with five walks and nine strikeouts in just 12 2/3 innings pitched. In his lone start of 2024 on May 3, Keller got over 100 pitches and has gone at least three innings in both of his relief outings since, so he's pretty well stretched out. Desperate deep-league streamers will probably want to avoid Keller in his second start of the year, which lines up for this Saturday against the New York Yankees.
The Chicago White Sox have signed right-hander Brad Keller to a minor-league deal with an invitation to big-league spring training. Keller has spent the first six seasons of his career with the Kansas City Royals and had his 2023 season shortened due to a shoulder injury. He posted a 4.57 ERA in 11 outings (nine starts) last season and walked an eye-popping 21.3% of the batters he faced on the season. Keller is a ground-ball pitcher who sports a 51.7% ground-ball rate for his career as his strikeout rate sits at just 17.2%. In 150 MLB appearances (114 starts), Keller sports a 4.27 ERA but only a 6.9% K-BB% in that time. He could battle for the fifth spot in the White Sox rotation or serve as a long reliever in 2024.
Kansas City Royals right-handed hurler Brad Keller (shoulder) is expected to throw a simulated game on Friday, according to MLB.com. If that goes well, the team wants him to get into game action in the Arizona Complex League next week. Keller has been out of action since the middle of May after experiencing a velocity dip due to right shoulder impingement before feeling shoulder soreness in July. Prior to going down, the 28-year-old posted a 4.36 ERA, 1.87 WHIP, and 15.4% strikeout rate over 43 1/3 innings. There's no need to stash Keller in any format considering his skill set.
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Brad Keller (shoulder) will remain on the injured list after his shoulder discomfort returned. The right-hander had recently been on a rehab stint, although he's taken a beating of late. He'll now undergo further testing, so it's anyone's guess if he'll return this season. Keller was 3-4 with a 4.36 ERA in nine starts this season before landing on the shelf.
Kansas City Royals right-hander Brad Keller (shoulder) allowed six earned runs on four hits while walking three and striking out none in just one-third of an inning in his latest minor-league rehab appearance for Triple-A Omaha on Sunday. Keller began his rehab assignment on June 28 with Omaha and has surrendered 16 runs (14 earned) on 10 hits while walking a whopping 17 batters and fanning four in six innings of work. The 27-year-old made nine starts for Kansas City earlier this year before dealing with a right-shoulder impingement, but he'll need to get his command under control in the minors before the Royals even think about returning him to their starting rotation. He has worked in relief in four of his six rehab outings and could eventually join KC's bullpen in the second half.
Kansas City Royals right-hander Brad Keller (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on June 15 as he works his way back from right shoulder impingement syndrome. The Royals are expected to decide upon his next steps upon the conclusion of the BP session on Thursday. Keller is progressing toward a rehab assignment and could be back with the team by the end of June. Keller has a 3-4 record, 4.36 ERA, 1.87 WHIP, and 31 strikeouts over 43 1/3 innings of work this season.
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Brad Keller (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session on Saturday. The 27-year-old is 3-4 with a 4.36 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 43 1/3 inning this season. Unfortunately, he landed on the 15-day injured list nearly a week ago because of right shoulder impingement syndrome. However, it appears Keller is moving in the right direction, although he remains without a definitive return date.
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Brad Keller was placed on the 15-day injured list on Friday, retroactive to May 16. The 27-year-old has started nine games this season, compiling a 3-4 record with a 4.36 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 43 1/3 innings. However, he's dealing with a case of right shoulder impingement syndrome, so nobody knows for sure how long he'll be out. The team hasn't announced who will replace Keller in the rotation and may play it by ear moving ahead.
Kansas City Royals right-hander Brad Keller has unveiled a new-look curveball in spring training this year as he looks to win a spot in the starting rotation. Keller's 5.24 ERA in the previous two seasons was the seventh-highest among pitchers who threw 200-plus innings in that time. KC moved Keller to the bullpen last year, but they still view him as a bounce-back candidate in the rotation in 2023. The addition of a curve was designed to give him speed differential between a mid-90s fastball, a 92-mph sinker and an 87-mph slider. He also sometimes throws a 90-mph changeup. Keller also added sweeping action to his slider to have two different movements on his breaking pitches. Over time, the 27-year-old is hoping his curve develops into more of a swing-and-miss pitch.
