The White Sox are designating right-hander Brad Keller for task, James Fegan of Sox Machine reviews (hyperlinks to X). Dominic Leone is being activated from the 15-day injured checklist to take Keller’s spot on the lively roster.
After three more and more tough seasons with the Royals, Keller caught on with Chicago on a minor league deal over the offseason and that contract was chosen to the massive league roster on the finish of April. Keller’s 5 video games in a Sox uniform have consisted of two begins and three reduction appearances, and his most up-to-date outing noticed him enable 5 earned runs to the Yankees over 4 innings of labor in yesterday’s 6-1 Chicago loss.
That boosted Keller’s ERA to 4.86 over 16 2/3 complete frames, with an underwhelming 17.7% strikeout charge and an okay 7.9% stroll charge. Keller’s 56.1% grounder charge is spectacular however he has additionally benefited from a .231 BABIP and been hit arduous when he hasn’t been capable of hold the ball on the bottom. Over his small pattern measurement of labor, Keller has allowed 5 house runs, together with 4 from the Yankees yesterday.
To be truthful, Keller had a 2.84 ERA in his 12 2/3 innings earlier than going through New York, and he’s hardly the primary pitcher to have issues with the damaging Yankees lineup. Whereas this transfer would possibly look like one thing of a fast set off from the White Sox, it may very well be that the workforce is trying to open a rotation spot for Jared Shuster, who has appeared very sharp in multi-inning reduction outings this season. Because the Sox are clearly looking forward to 2025 and past, they might merely see extra worth in letting Shuster pitch extra significant innings now, and parting methods with a veteran like Keller who isn’t of their long-term plans.
It ought to be famous that Keller’s 2023 season was reduce brief by thoracic outlet syndrome, and he underwent TOS surgical procedure final October. Whereas the process has led to diminished outcomes for a lot of pitchers of their returns to the mound, Keller’s work thus far has been considerably promising, and his numbers may enhance as soon as he will get extra absolutely snug within the aftermath of such a notable surgical procedure.
Which means Keller may definitely draw some consideration on the waiver wire from any workforce in search of a fast inflow of innings within the rotation or the bullpen. The White Sox may work out a commerce or would possibly let Keller go on waivers totally with none return. If he clears waivers, Keller has sufficient MLB service time to reject an outright task and elect free company.
Leone will return after simply the minimal 15 days after coping with some again tightness. The veteran right-hander has struggled to a 6.75 ERA in 14 2/3 innings out of Chicago’s bullpen this season, and has already allowed 11 walks and 4 house runs.