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.
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Cubs' Brad Keller: Struggles in first loss
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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.
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Cubs' Brad Keller: Nabs third win
Rotowire
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.
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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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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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Brad Keller: Becomes free agent
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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
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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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Red Sox's Brad Keller: Optioned to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Red Sox optioned Keller to Triple-A Worcester on Monday, Chris Henrique of Beyond the Monster reports.
Keller has allowed 10 runs over 16.2 innings as a low-leverage reliever for the Red Sox. He's being replaced by a fresh arm after he threw 31 pitches and allowed three runs over one inning in Sunday's 7-4 win over the Reds.
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White Sox's Brad Keller: Moved off 40-man roster
Rotowire
The White Sox designated Keller for assignment Sunday, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.
Keller was tagged with the loss Saturday versus the Yankees, giving up six runs (five earned) on seven hits, including four homers, and he'll now be placed on waivers. The right-hander owns a 4.86 ERA over 16.2 innings in five appearances, including two starts, with Chicago in 2024, so it's plausible that another organization could claim him. The transaction opens a spot on the Chicago's 40-man roster, while Keller's spot on the major-league roster will likely be filled by Dominic Leone (back), who's slated to be activated from the 15-day injured list in the near future. It's unclear who will replace Keller in the starting rotation, though Michael Soroka projects as a logical replacement for the time being.
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White Sox's Brad Keller: Can't keep ball in yard Saturday
Rotowire
Keller (0-2) took the loss Saturday as the White Sox were downed 6-1 by the Yankees, coughing up six runs (five earned) on seven hits -- including four home runs -- and a walk over four-plus innings. He struck out four.
The right-hander served up a pair of homers to Juan Soto in the first and fifth innings, with Jose Trevino and Giancarlo Stanton taking Keller deep in between. Troubles keeping the ball in the park are nothing new for Keller, as he got tagged for 35 home runs over 273.1 innings in 2021-22 while with the Royals. Keller's spot in the White Sox's rotation is by no means secure, but if he takes another turn at home next week against the Orioles, he'll carry a 4.86 ERA and 1.38 WHIP to the mound.
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White Sox's Brad Keller: Used in long relief
Rotowire
Keller allowed one earned run on five hits and no walks with no strikeouts across three innings Tuesday against the Rays. He did not factor into the decision.
Keller pitched as a traditional starter May 1, but he was shifted back to the bullpen after Mike Clevinger was promoted to the majors. Keller pitched effectively in his return to relief and followed Michael Soroka into the game. However, due to his lack of strikeouts and relatively low win potential, Keller isn't likely to generate much fantasy intrigue.
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White Sox's Brad Keller: Handed loss Friday
Rotowire
Keller (0-1) allowed three runs on five hits and two walks over 4.2 innings Friday, striking out five and taking a loss against St. Louis.
Keller coughed up a pair of runs in the first inning but kept the Cardinals in check until he was charged with another run in the fifth. He forced 12 swinging strikes but needed 102 pitches to get through 4.2 frames. Keller registered a 4.50 ERA across three starts with Triple-A Charlotte before his promotion to the MLB level, and it's unclear if he'll stick in the White Sox rotation.
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White Sox's Brad Keller: Gets start Friday
Rotowire
Keller is scheduled to start Friday's game against the Cardinals at Busch Stadium.
Keller was called up from Triple-A Charlotte on Sunday and proceeded to make his White Sox debut as a reliever Monday, when he tossed 1.2 scoreless innings against the Twins. The White Sox haven't indicated that Keller will be joining the rotation on a permanent basis, as the team might have just wanted to build in an extra day of rest for Erick Fedde, who will take the hill Saturday after tossing 8.1 innings and 108 pitches in his most recent outing last Sunday versus the Rays. Keller will be taking the mound Friday on three days' rest, so he could face a light workload, even though he had worked five-plus innings in each of his three starts with Charlotte prior to his call-up.
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White Sox's Brad Keller: Gets call-up from Triple-A
Rotowire
The White Sox selected Keller's contract from Triple-A Charlotte on Sunday.
Keller was built up slowly in spring training while he completed his recovery from offseason thoracic outlet syndrome surgery, but he was deemed ready to go for the start of the Triple-A season. He made three starts for Charlotte prior to his call-up, working at least five innings each time out while pitching to a 4.50 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB in 16 innings. Keller is expected to give the White Sox a multi-inning option out of the bullpen for the time being, but he could eventually emerge as a candidate for the big-league rotation if back-end starter Chris Flexen fails to perform well enough to hold down that role on a more permanent basis.
