Keller gave up a hit and struck out the side in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his first save of the season in a 3-1 win over the Pirates.
With Daniel Palencia having pitched the day before, Keller got the call for a save situation and carved up the heart of Pittsburgh's order after allowing a leadoff single. The 30-year-old righty is seeing his stuff play up to a significant degree in shorter stints -- he topped out at 98 mph with his four-seamer Saturday, after spending most of his career as a starter sitting in the 92-94 mph range -- and while Palencia's closer job isn't in any jeopardy, Keller appears to be emerging as the Cubs' top right-handed setup man. In 11 appearances since the All-Star break, Keller hasn't allowed a run with a 15:2 K:BB over 12.1 innings, collecting four holds along with Saturday's save.
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Cubs' Brad Keller: Extends scoreless streak
Rotowire
Keller, who logged 1.1 scoreless innings in Sunday's loss to the Cardinals, has now recorded eight straight scoreless appearances.
Across those eight appearances, Keller has covered 9.1 innings and struck out 11 batters while allowing just one hit and two walks. It's been a great stretch for the veteran righty, who has been solid all season with a 2.63 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 8.9 K/9 across 51.1 innings out of the Chicago bullpen. Keller is firmly entrenched as one of the Cubs' top setup options ahead of closer Daniel Palencia.
Keller (3-1) allowed five runs on five hits in an inning of relief to take the loss Saturday against the Cardinals. He struck out one.
Keller struggled with the long ball, allowing a solo home run to Alec Burleson and a three-run shot to Yohel Pozo during the eighth inning. The rough outing -- the first time Keller has allowed any runs over his last seven appearances -- pushed Keller's ERA from 1.82 to 2.88. Even with the bad game, the veteran righty has been a key relief piece for the Cubs this season, posting a 1.16 WHIP and 38 strikeouts across 40.2 innings out of the bullpen.
Keller (3-0) worked around a hit to toss 1.2 scoreless innings and earn the win in Saturday's 10-7 victory over the Mariners. He struck out three.
After starter Cade Horton only covered 4.2 innings for the Cubs, the team turned to Keller for some length. The righty retired more than three batters for the seventh time this season in 33 appearances, and he lowered his ERA to a sparkling 2.00 in the process. Keller also has 36 strikeouts across 36 innings, as the former starter settles comfortably into a middle relief role.
Cubs' Brad Keller: Tosses scoreless frame as opener
Rotowire
Keller started Saturday's 6-5 win over the Mets and tossed a scoreless inning with two strikeouts before exiting.
The veteran righty served as an effective opener before turning things over to Cade Horton, who logged four innings in his MLB debut to snag the win. Keller has pitched well lately, as he hasn't allowed an earned run over his last seven appearances, but he's maxed out at two innings in his longest outing. The former starter looks to be locked into a more traditional bullpen role in Chicago, but he seems to be thriving.
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Cubs' Brad Keller: Due to start Saturday
Rotowire
Keller will start Saturday's game against the Mets, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Manager Craig Counsell said the Cubs are going to rely on their bullpen to get through Saturday's contest, and Keller will be the one to get things started for the North Siders. The 29-year-old owns a 3.78 ERA and 1.26 WHIP through 16.2 innings this season and isn't likely to last more than one or two frames in what will be his first start of the year. Once he exits, there's a good chance the Cubs turn to Cade Horton to pitch in bulk relief in what will be his MLB debut.
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Cubs' Brad Keller: Allows two runs in team debut
Rotowire
Keller allowed two runs on four hits over two innings of relief in Friday's 8-1 loss to the Diamondbacks. He struck out three.
Keller joined the Cubs over the winter on a minor-league deal, but he did enough in camp to warrant a look as a long reliever on the MLB roster. He was able to make his team debut in mop-up duty Friday, and while Arizona managed some solid contact, he at least tallied three strikeouts in his two frames. The righty figures to work mostly in low-leverage spots for Chicago, at least for the time being, giving him limited fantasy appeal.
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Cubs' Brad Keller: Added to roster
Rotowire
The Cubs selected Keller's contract from Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.
Keller showed a bump up with his stuff this spring and he accrued a 13:2 K:BB over 11.2 innings. The veteran right-hander will likely work in long relief for the time being.
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Cubs' Brad Keller: Expected to make team
Rotowire
The Cubs are likely to add Keller to their major-league roster rather than allow him to exercise the opt-out clause in his minor-league contract, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.
Keller has "opened eyes" in Cubs camp with his velocity jump and mechanical improvements, per Mooney, so the team doesn't want to let him get away. The big righty has allowed four runs with a 6:1 K:BB over seven innings during Cactus League play. Keller seems likely to serve in a long relief role initially for the Cubs.
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Cubs' Brad Keller: Lands with Northsiders as NRI
Rotowire
The Cubs signed Keller to a minor-league contract Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Jacob Zanolla of Cubs Insider reports.
Keller made 16 appearances (two starts) between the White Sox and Red Sox in 2024, finishing with a 5.44 ERA and 32:15 K:BB over 41.1 innings. The 29-year-old is likely to begin the 2025 campaign as rotation depth at Triple-A Iowa.
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Red Sox's Brad Keller: Back with Boston again
Rotowire
The Red Sox re-signed Keller to a minor-league contract Friday, Chris Henrique of Beyond The Monster reports.
For the second time since mid-August, Keller has elected free agency, only to re-sign with Boston on a minor-league pact. He will report to Triple-A Worcester.
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Brad Keller: Elects free agency
Rotowire
Keller cleared waivers Thursday and elected to become a free agent.
Keller was cast off the Red Sox's 40-man roster Tuesday after turning in a 5.84 ERA and 1.62 WHIP across 24.2 innings with the team. The 29-year-old elected free agency and re-signed with the Red Sox on a minor-league deal when he was DFA'd by Boston earlier in the month, though Keller seems likely to head elsewhere this time around.
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Red Sox's Brad Keller: Booted from 40-man roster
Rotowire
The Red Sox designated Keller for assignment Tuesday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.
Keller coughed up five runs (three earned) over four innings in an extended relief appearance Monday versus the Blue Jays. He wasn't going to be available for at least a couple days, so the Red Sox have elected to summon another reliever in his spot.
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Red Sox's Brad Keller: Rejoins major-league club
Rotowire
The Red Sox selected Keller's contract from Triple-A Worcester on Monday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Keller rejected an option to Worcester earlier this month before re-signing with Boston on a minor-league deal. He's now back in the big leagues to provide a fresh arm for Boston's bullpen.
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Red Sox's Brad Keller: Re-signs on minor-league contract
Rotowire
The Red Sox re-signed Keller to a minor-league contract Tuesday, Chris Hatfield of SoxProspects.com reports.
Keller refused an option to Triple-A Worcester from the Red Sox but has quickly re-upped on a minor-league deal. He will likely move into Worcester's rotation.
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Brad Keller: Becomes free agent
Rotowire
Keller elected free agency Tuesday, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.
Keller's tenure in the big leagues afforded him the ability to decline an option to Triple-A Worcester and elect free agency, and the veteran right-hander has exercised that right and will move on from the Red Sox. He holds a 5.30 ERA and 30:13 K:BB over 37.1 innings at the big-league level in 2024.
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Red Sox's Brad Keller: Dispatched to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Red Sox optioned Keller to Triple-A Worcester on Monday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.
Keller made one extended relief appearance during his most recent stint in the majors, allowing three runs over four frames and taking a loss against the Astros on Saturday. He will likely re-enter Worcester's rotation.
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