The Crimson Sox have re-signed right-hander Brad Keller to a minor league deal, per Chris Hatfield of SoxProspects.com on X. The veteran elected free company earlier right this moment however has rapidly returned to Boston on a non-roster pact.
Keller, 29, is a veteran with greater than 5 years of service time. That offers him the fitting to reject non-obligatory assignments to the minor leagues. Earlier within the 12 months, he did consent to be optioned by Boston, getting recalled just a few days in the past. The Sox optioned him a second time however he determined to train his proper to discover the open market. It appears he didn’t discover a lot to his liking and rapidly reunited with the Sox on this minor league deal.
The righty had a pleasant run with the Royals earlier in his profession however he has hit just a few bumps in newer seasons. Within the 2018-2020 seasons, Keller logged 360 1/3 innings with Kansas Metropolis, permitting 3.50 earned runs per 9 in that stretch. His 16.8% strikeout price was beneath par however his 9.1% stroll price was round common and his 52.1% floor ball price was fairly robust.
However his ERA crept north of 5.00 in each 2021 and 2022. Final 12 months, he was solely capable of make 11 appearances earlier than requiring surgical procedure to handle thoracic outlet syndrome. This 12 months, he has cut up his time between the White Sox and the Crimson Sox, tossing 37 1/3 innings with a 5.30 ERA, 17.8% strikeout price, 7.7% stroll price and 49.6% floor ball price.
The Sox bolstered their rotation previous to the deadline by buying James Paxton from the Dodgers however he lately suffered a torn calf after simply three appearances with Boston. Cooper Criswell is at present on the injured listing with COVID however the membership is planning on slotting him into the rotation when he’s wholesome. Each time that occurs, he’ll be part of Tanner Houck, Brayan Bello, Nick Pivetta and Kutter Crawford.
The membership has Quinn Priester on the 40-man roster as depth however he has allowed 11 earned runs in 6 1/3 Triple-A innings since being acquired from the Pirates. Wikelman Gonzalez can be on the 40-man however he has a 5.93 ERA at Double-A this 12 months and must skip Triple-A very to assist the massive league membership at this level. The membership has Naoyuki Uwasawa and Jason Alexander available as non-roster depth however Keller has much more main league expertise than these two and may very well be forward of them in line to get the decision at any time when a recent arm is required subsequent.