White Sox's Brad Keller: Could join rotation Tuesday
Rotowire
Keller is a candidate to be promoted from Triple-A Charlotte to join the White Sox's rotation Tuesday against the Royals, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.
This spot in the rotation will eventually belong to Mike Clevinger, but in the meantime, Keller looks like the favorite to start Tuesday. Keller gave up two runs on six hits and one walk while striking out five over five innings in his start Thursday for Triple-A Charlotte.
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White Sox's Brad Keller: Joins Triple-A Charlotte
Rotowire
Keller has joined Triple-A Charlotte and will make the start for the Knights on Thursday, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.
Keller had been at extended spring training following thoracic outlet syndrome surgery over the offseason, but he's now ready to join an affiliate. It's possible the longtime Royal will get a look in a White Sox rotation that's used only four starters so far, although Mike Clevinger will probably be ready before him.
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White Sox's Brad Keller: Had thoracic outlet surgery
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Keller underwent thoracic outlet syndrome surgery over the offseason, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Keller dealt with thoracic outlet syndrome symptoms on a couple occasions last season while with the Royals and evidently at some point opted for surgery. He inked a minor-league deal with the White Sox last week and "threw the ball really well" during a recent live batting practice session, per manager Pedro Grifol. Keller is expected to begin the season at Triple-A Charlotte but could become an option for Chicago's rotation before long.
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White Sox's Brad Keller: Gets NRI deal from White Sox
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Keller (shoulder) signed a minor-league contract with the White Sox on Friday that includes an invitation to spring training.
Keller's 2023 season ended in September when the Royals put him on the injured list due to thoracic outlet syndrome. It's uncertain what his current health situation is, but the White Sox clearly felt comfortable enough with it to give the righty a low-risk, non-roster invite. Keller has been an effective innings-eater in the past and is still just 28, but he holds a 5.14 ERA since the start of the 2021 campaign. The White Sox will likely send him to the minors initially if he performs well enough, but given their dearth of rotation options, he could well end up spending time in the big-league rotation in 2024.
Keller was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday due to symptoms associated with thoracic outlet syndrome.
Keller dealt with symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome earlier this season while on the injured list with a shoulder impingement, and those symptoms apparently resurfaced since being reinstated from the injured list Sept. 9. The right-hander will finish 2023 having pitched in just 11 games, and he had a 4.76 ERA, 1.94 WHIP and 31:45 K:BB over 45.1 innings. He's scheduled to hit free agency during the offseason, but the injury will cloud his outlook for 2024.
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Royals' Brad Keller: Returns from injured list
Rotowire
Keller (shoulder) was reinstated off the 60-day injured list Saturday.
Keller recorded a 4.36 ERA in nine starts before suffering a shoulder injury in mid-May, though his combination of a 15.4 percent strikeout rate and a 19.9 percent walk rate portends worse results. He's worked as a reliever while on his rehab assignment, posting a 6.10 ERA and 1.65 WHIP in 10.1 innings, and figures to step into a low-leverage relief role over the final few weeks given that he isn't stretched out to start.
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Royals' Brad Keller: Ready for rehab assignment
Rotowire
Keller (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment Monday with Kansas City's affiliate in the Arizona Complex League.
Keller had a chance to kick off an official rehab assignment last week, and he did not have to wait much longer to begin one. Keller's last rehab assignment was paused midway through, so expect the Royals to try their best to avoid a similar outcome.
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Royals' Brad Keller: Making progress in recovery
Rotowire
Keller (shoulder) could begin a rehab assignment this week, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Keller had a July rehab assignment cut short after experiencing soreness in his shoulder, but he has been throwing in the bullpen, and if all continues to go well he could join one of Kansas City's affiliates before the week comes to a close.
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Royals' Brad Keller: Undergoing further testing
Rotowire
Keller's will receive further testing after his right shoulder discomfort returned, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Keller returned from his rehab assignment after his 30 days were up Thursday, but he wasn't activated from the IL due to a setback in his recovery. The results of Keller's test will determine how much longer he stays on the shelf, but the fact Keller was unable to keep pitching isn't a good sign. The 28-year-old righty put up a 4.36 ERA and 1.87 WHIP through 43.1 innings before getting injured in May.
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Royals' Brad Keller: Returned from rehab assignment
Rotowire
Keller (shoulder) was returned from his rehab assignment Thursday.
Keller's 30 days on assignment were up, so the Royals will soon have to decide what to do with the right-hander. He appeared in nine games for Triple-A Omaha, covering nine innings with a 15.00 ERA, 3.56 WHIP and 5:21 K:BB while working as a reliever for a majority of the assignment. Given those numbers, it wouldn't be shocking to see him pitch out of the bullpen if he remains on the big-league roster once he's activated from the injured list.
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Royals' Brad Keller: Works in relief on rehab assignment
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Keller (shoulder) retired just one batter and allowed six earned runs on four hits and three walks in his latest rehab appearance Sunday with Triple-A Omaha.
Keller has now made six appearances for Omaha, but he may not be any closer to being activated from the 15-day injured list than when he first started the assignment June 28. He's been roughed up in each of his last three outings, recording five outs in total during that span while surrendering 13 runs (11 earned) on seven hits and eight walks. Though Keller had been a member of the Kansas City rotation prior to landing on the IL on May 19 with right shoulder impingement syndrome, he may be ticketed for the bullpen once he's reinstated. He's worked in relief in four of his six rehab appearances, including each of the last three.
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Royals' Brad Keller: Capped at two frames in rehab start
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Keller (shoulder) worked two innings in his rehab start Wednesday with Triple-A Omaha, striking out three while allowing one run on two hits and two walks.
The Royals have held Keller to a three-day rest schedule since he opened his rehab assignment June 28, with the right-hander having now worked exactly two innings in consecutive appearances after recording just one out in his first outing. Given Keller's usage thus far during the rehab assignment, it's not entirely clear if the Royals are building him back up for a starting role, though that still seems to be a likely outcome due to the lack of other impact rotation arms in the majors and high minors. Even if Keller is ready to return from the 15-day injured list shortly after the All-Star break and reclaims a spot in the Kansas City rotation, he won't make for a particularly enticing fantasy option after compiling a 3-4 record and pitching to a 4.36 ERA and 1.87 WHIP over 43.1 innings prior to being shelved with the shoulder issue.
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Royals' Brad Keller: Throws BP session
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Keller (shoulder) threw a live BP session Friday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Keller went on the injured list May 19 and resumed mound work a week later. He may need a couple more bullpen or batting practice sessions as he recovers from right shoulder impingement syndrome. It has yet to be determined if he'll require a rehab assignment.
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Royals' Brad Keller: Beginning mound work Saturday
Rotowire
Keller (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
It will be Keller's first mound workout since he went on the injured list due to right shoulder impingement syndrome. There is currently no timeline for his return to the Royals' rotation, but he does seem to be headed in a positive direction following a brief shutdown period.
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Royals' Brad Keller: Placed on 15-day IL
Rotowire
Kansas City placed Keller on the 15-day injured list Friday, retroactive to May 16, with right shoulder impingement syndrome.
Keller issued a whopping eight walks over just 3.2 innings in his last turn through the Royals' starting rotation Monday against the Padres. He's at 40 walks through 43.1 total innings this year. There is no timetable yet for the 27-year-old right-hander's return.
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Royals' Brad Keller: Struggles with command again
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Keller (3-4) was the pitcher of record in Monday's 4-0 loss to the Padres after allowing three runs on three hits and eight walks over 3.2 innings. He struck out two.
Keller nearly walked as many batters as he retired Monday. The free passes have been a major problem for Keller, as he now leads MLB with 40 walks on the season. Amazingly Keller's ERA is 4.36 despite all the walks. However his FIP is 5.39, a career high, suggesting his luck will run out soon if he doesn't locate the zone.
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Royals' Brad Keller: Picks up win versus White Sox
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Keller (3-3) got the win Wednesday against the White Sox, allowing one run on three hits and four walks while striking out four over five innings.
Keller was given an early four-run cushion and was able to coast through his outing without much cause for concern. His lone blemish came in the second inning after a leadoff walk and two singles plated the only run of the game for the Sox. Keller continued to show struggles with his command as he walked at least four batters for the sixth time in eight starts, but he's generated a bunch of weak contact and has allowed just three home runs so far this season. The 27-year-old will take a 4.31 ERA, 1.76 WHIP and 29:32 K:BB over 39.2 innings into his next projected start against the Padres.
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Royals' Brad Keller: Handed third loss
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Keller (2-3) allowed seven runs (six earned) on 11 hits and four walks over 4.1 innings Friday. He struck out one and took a loss against Oakland.
The Athletics jumped on Keller early in the contest; he gave up a run in the first inning before serving up back-to-back homers to Brent Rooker and Ramon Laureano in the third. Keller would later be charged with three more runs in the ugly outing. His season ERA jumped to 4.67 and he's recorded more walks (28) than strikeouts (25) through 34.2 frames. Keller is projected to take on the White Sox at home next week.
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Royals' Brad Keller: Escapes with no-decision Saturday
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Keller didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Twins, allowing one run on six hits and five walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out four.
The right-hander also uncorked two wild pitches and exited the game after getting only 49 of his 92 pitches over the plate, but Minnesota's hitters let Keller off the hook for all the traffic he put on the basepaths. That's been the story of his season so far, however -- the 27-year-old sports a 3.56 ERA and has given up two runs or less in four of his six starts thanks in large part to serving up only one homer in 30.1 innings, but his 24:24 K:BB and 4.78 FIP indicate that major regression could be coming. Keller will hope his luck holds in his next outing, likely to come next weekend at home against the A's.
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Royals' Brad Keller: Lasts only four innings in loss
Rotowire
Keller (2-2) was handed the loss Tuesday against the Rangers, allowing three runs on three hits and five walks over four innings. He struck out two.
There was a night-and-day difference between Tuesday's outing and Keller's outing against the Rangers last Wednesday. He struggled mightily to find the zone this time around and it cost him, as all three runs he gave up were from batters that got on base via a walk. Keller got pulled after 81 pitches, which was his lowest mark in four starts this season. Keller can be streamed in appealing matchups, but his volatility makes him a risky play in any given start.
