35 Keone Kela RP

Kela, who was named Pittsburgh's closer prior to spring training, allowed four runs in five innings over five games of Grapefruit League action.

Kela will be looking to collect saves the way he did for Texas in 2018, when he compiled 24 saves. Due to injuries and suspensions, the 26-year-old pitched only 29.2 innings in 2019. With Pittsburgh looking to rebuild, the organization could seek to trade the impending free agent. As a result, Kela owners may want to keep Kyle Crick on speed dial in the event Kela gets hurt or dealt.

Kela allowed three runs on three hits in one inning Thursday. He threw one wild pitch while striking out one batter.

All three hits -- two doubles and a homer -- went for extra bases. Provided he's able to make it through spring training without any issues, however, he's pretty much assured of heading into the season as Pittsburgh's closer. Kela totaled only 29.2 innings in 2019 due to injuries and suspensions.

Kela struck out the side in a scoreless outing against the Tigers on Sunday. He walked one batter.

Manager Derek Shelton named Kela the team's closer last week. The righty saved 24 of 26 games in Texas in 2018 and could provide a cheap source of saves with Pittsburgh. If he does well, however, then there's a chance the rebuilding organization could cash in its Kela chips and move him during the summer.

Kela (illness) is scheduled to face hitters Thursday in a live batting practice session, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Kela missed a couple days of camp earlier this week after coming down with a viral infection, but his inclusion on the Pirates' list of scheduled pitchers for Thursday suggests he's moved past the ailment. The right-hander, who was named the Pirates' closer last week, should be ready to make his Grapefruit League debut within the next couple of days.

Kela didn't throw Tuesday due to a viral infection, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

There hasn't been any indication that the issue will significantly impact Kela's preparation for the upcoming season. The righty was officially confirmed as the Pirates' closer at the start of camp.

Manager Derek Shelton named Kela as the Pirates' closer Wednesday, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

There's quite a shortage of established relievers in the Pirates' bullpen, so the 26-year-old Kela, he of the 28 career saves, looks like a proven veteran by comparison. Character concerns and injuries are much bigger questions than talent for the righty. A shoulder injury limited him to 29.2 innings last season, but he posted a 2.12 ERA and a 27.7 percent strikeout rate when available. There aren't any obvious threats to Kela's job, making him as safe an investment as an injury-prone pitcher can be, though the Pirates' poor projected record and presumed lack of save chances give him a fairly low ceiling.

Kela agreed to a one-year, $3.725 million deal with the Pirates, avoiding arbitration, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

This is Kela's third and final year as an arbitration-eligible player before he hits the open market. He has a career 3.23 ERA and 1.11 WHIP but has logged over 40 innings just twice in five big-league seasons.

Kela allowed one walk but no other baserunners during the ninth in his first save of the season in a 4-2 victory against the Cubs on Wednesday.

Felipe Vazquez has been on the restricted list for more than a week, but this was the Pirates' first save opportunity since losing their All-Star closer. It was indeed Kela coming in as Pittsburgh's closer Wednesday, and he nailed down his first save since joining the Pirates last July. Kela owns a 2.20 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 32 strikeouts in 28.2 innings this season and will be first in line for any additional save chances over the final four days of the regular season.

General manager Neal Huntington confirmed that Kela will serve as the team's closer for the rest of 2019, DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.

Pittsburgh won its first game since placing Felipe Vazquez on the restricted list on Monday. Kela pitched a clean ninth inning following Richard Rodriguez's scoreless eighth. Pittsburgh closes the season with five straight home games, including three against Cincinnati. The Pirates have won 15 of 17 contests against the Reds at PNC Park since the beginning of 2018.

Kela may see save opportunities with Felipe Vazquez (restricted list) out.

Kela notched 24 saves for the Rangers in 2018 before serving as Vazquez's setup man following his trade to Pittsburgh. He's allowed one run in his last 19 innings, recording one win and four holds. While Kela is a top candidate for saves, Richard Rodriguez, Francisco Liriano and Michael Feliz may also figure in the late-inning mix.

Kela struck out a pair of batters in a scoreless inning against the Giants on Thursday.

Kela has allowed one earned run in his last 19 innings, compiling a 23:5 K:BB. That streak extends back into April, as the reliever has missed significant time due health concerns and a suspension. Kela did pitch both Wednesday and Thursday, marking the first time he's thrown on back-to-back days since April 4-5. While his stock has dropped in 2019, his stuff suggests he could move back into a high-leverage role next season.

Kela will be placed on the paternity list Wednesday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Kela has missed time for injury and multiple suspensions this season, but at least this absence will be for a much more positive reason. He should rejoin the Pirates' bullpen within a few days.

Kela pitched a scoreless inning against the Angels on Wednesday. He struck out one batter without allowing a hit or walk.

He faced the minimum three batters, throwing eight of 12 pitches for strikes. After making his first appearance following a 10-game suspension, it was somewhat surprising that he threw only one inning, given the team's exhausted bullpen. Regardless, he looked good and could move into high leverage situations again quickly -- he pitched in the sixth inning against the Angels.

Kela (suspension) is available to pitch Wednesday against the Angels, Nubyjas Wilborn of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Kela is available out of the bullpen for Wednesday's series finale after completing the 10-game suspension he received earlier in the month for throwing at Derek Deitrich's head and later admitting that he'd done it on purpose. The 26-year-old righty owns a 3.45 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 17:5 K:BB in 15.2 innings this season.

Kela will begin serving his 10-game suspension Saturday, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Kela was hit with a lengthy ban after throwing at Derek Dietrich's head Tuesday and later admitting that he'd done it on purpose. He'll now be ineligible to return before Aug. 16.

Kela was suspended 10 games for his role in Tuesday's bench-clearing incident with the Reds, Jared Diamond of The Wall Street Journal reports.

Kela instigated the entire incident when he threw behind the head of Derek Dietrich in the seventh inning Tuesday. He'll appeal the suspension, making him eligible to pitch until a decision regarding his appeal is made.

Kela pitched a scoreless inning Wednesday against the Cardinals, allowing one hit while striking out one batter.

The Pirates eased him back into action in a blowout loss, his first appearance since May 4, and the results were encouraging. Kela threw his fastball harder (96.3 mph) and more often (71.4 percent) than his season marks (95.9 mph, 57.1 percent). The right-hander would neither confirm nor deny that he was involved in an altercation with a coach Monday, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, but it wouldn't be surprising to see the reliever moved to another organization. He hit 97 mph with his fastball and there are plenty of contenders searching for relief help.

Kela (suspension) was officially reinstated prior to Wednesday's game against the Cardinals, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Both Kela and closer Felipe Vazquez have been rumored as potential trade candidates, but if only Vazquez were moved, it's possible Kela could take over as the Pirates' closer. For now, he will work in a setup role.

Kela (suspension) is expected to join the team prior to Wednesday's game against the Cardinals, John Perrotto of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Kela was reinstated from the 60-day injured list Monday, but he was immediately slapped with a two-game suspension for an unknown violation of his contract. However, he'll be back in the bullpen for Wednesday's clash and will be ready to see his first action since May 4.

Kela (shoulder) was reinstated from the 60-day injured list and then given a two-game suspension due to a violation of his contract Monday, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Kela was finally activated from the injured list after recovering from a shoulder injury, though he'll have to wait at least two more games to return to action after being dealt a suspension. He'll be eligible to return beginning Wednesday against the Cardinals.