Keone Kela Stats

San Diego Padres reliever Keone Kela (elbow) underwent Tommy John surgery on Wednesday. The 28-year-old last pitched on May 7 and exited the outing with forearm tightness. Signed to a one-year deal this offseason, Kela appeared in 12 games, posting a 5.06 ERA. After making just three appearances in 2020 due to elbow issues, the Friars made a calculated gamble with Kela and it backfired. Likely out until the end of 2022, it's uncertain if the club will exercise his option for next year. Relievers Austin Adams and Emilio Pagan will fill the void as the bridge to closer Mark Melancon and could be targeted in holds leagues.

4 months ago

San Diego Padres reliever Keone Kela (forearm) was forced from Friday's game against the San Francisco Giants with right forearm tightness. Making his third appearance since returning from a shoulder injury, Kela promptly served a game-clinching homer to Giants outfielder Austin Slater before being pulled by the trainer two pitches later. His velocity was notably down from his normal mid-90s heat. Kela will be evaluated over the weekend but an IL trip seems certain. Despite dealing with forearm issues last year, the Friars signed the 28-year-old this offseason and he holds a 5.06 ERA through 10 innings. Relievers Pierce Johnson and Austin Adams will be leaned on in higher leverage scenarios and could be targets in deep holds leagues.

4 months ago

The San Diego Padres have signed free-agent relief pitcher Keone Kela. The deal will be finalized once Kela passes a physical. Kela, who posted 24 saves for the Texas Rangers during the 2018 season, was penciled in to be the closer in Pittsburgh prior to the 2020 campaign. Those plans were derailed when Kela tested positive for COVID-19 and then was subsequently placed on the injured list due to forearm tightness. As a result, Kela appeared in only three games (two innings pitched) for the Pirates in 2020. Now with San Diego, Kela joins a very deep bullpen that includes Drew Pomeranz, Emilio Pagan, and Mark Melancon. As a result, notwithstanding his past closing experience, it is likely Kela will assume a middle-relief role with the Padres in 2021. Although Kela could potentially form part of a closer-by-committee with Melancon, Pomeranz, and Pagan, he would likely be last in the pecking order for save opportunities among those pitchers. Accordingly, Kela can be ignored in most mixed-league formats. Those managers in NL-only leagues and leagues that reward holds may wish to take a flier on Kela in the last few rounds of drafts to see how his role in San Diego shakes out early in the 2021 season.

over 6 months ago