Keller issued a walk and struck out two batters over 1.1 scoreless innings to pick up a save in Game 3 of the NLDS against the Brewers on Wednesday.
Keller walked Caleb Durbin on four pitches to load the bases upon entering the game before striking out Jake Bauers to pick up the final out of the eighth inning. The 30-year-old reliever then retired the side in order during the ninth to pick up his second save of the postseason and give the Cubs their first win of the NLDS.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Brad Keller: Notches save in Game 1
Rotowire
Keller tossed a perfect ninth inning to record the save in Tuesday's 3-1 victory over the Padres.
Daniel Palencia, the Cubs' regular-season saves leader, had already exited Tuesday's contest by the seventh inning, leaving Keller as the best available option to pitch the ninth. He froze Xander Bogaerts with a called third strike to collect his first career postseason save and put the finishing touches on a perfect 4.2-inning performance from Chicago's bullpen. Keller will likely continue to see regular high-leverage action for the duration of the Cubs' postseason run.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Brad Keller: Earns another save Tuesday
Rotowire
Keller tossed a scoreless ninth inning with two strikeouts to earn the save in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Pirates.
After recording a one-out save Tuesday, Keller converted a more conventional opportunity a night later, giving him three saves for the season. With Daniel Palencia (shoulder) on the injured list, it was Andrew Kittredge who converted Chicago's first three save opportunities, but Keller now has the last two, with Kittredge working the seventh inning Tuesday. Expect manager Craig Counsell to keep mixing and matching with his veteran relievers to close out games while Palencia is on the shelf, giving Keller a temporary boost in fantasy value.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Brad Keller: Converts one-out save
Rotowire
Keller struck out the only batter he faced to pick up the save in Monday's 4-0 win at Pittsburgh.
After Chicago reliever Porter Hodge loaded the bases with two out in the ninth, Keller stepped in to fire four pitches and strike out Jared Triolo to wrap the contest. This marks Keller's first save since Daniel Palencia (shoulder) was placed on the injured list Sept. 8, as Andrew Kittredge had collected three consecutive saves since then. Keller has been a revelation out of the bullpen for the Cubs this season, firing a 2.19 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 69:21 K:BB across 65.2 innings. While Kittredge is the odds-on favorite for future save chances, Keller remains in the mix because of his excellent work.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Brad Keller: Snaps scoreless streak, takes loss
Rotowire
Keller (4-2) allowed a run on two hits and a walk across an inning of relief to take the loss Saturday against the Rays.
Keller worked the top of the ninth inning in a 4-4 game and promptly served up a go-ahead home run to Nick Fortes to take the loss. It was the first run allowed by the veteran righty since July 12, a streak of 22 appearances coming into Saturday. Keller still has a sparkling 2.20 ERA and 0.98 WHIP overall, and he should maintain a key role in Chicago's bullpen, though it appears that Andrew Kittredge is the next man up as closer with Daniel Palencia (shoulder) on the injured list.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Brad Keller: Could step in as new closer
Rotowire
Keller appears to be the likeliest candidate to take over as the Cubs' closer after Daniel Palencia (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.
Palencia's availability for the remainder of the season is in jeopardy while he recovers from a right shoulder strain. Keller has been a revelation out of the Cubs bullpen this season and has yet to permit a run over 20 second-half appearances, yielding a total of just three hits over that stretch. If manager Craig Counsell prefers to take a committee approach at closer while Palencia is out, Andrew Kittredge and Caleb Thielbar could also be in the mix for saves along with Keller.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Brad Keller: Notches first save as Cub
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Brad Keller: Struggles in first loss
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
