Proper-hander Brad Keller has elected free company after going unclaimed on outright waivers, tweets Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Solar-Instances. The White Sox had designated him for task on Sunday.
Keller signed a minor league pact with Chicago about midway into Spring Coaching. He made three begins for his or her Triple-A group earlier than being referred to as up in late April. He began two of 5 appearances on the main league degree, pitching to a 4.86 ERA by way of 16 2/3 innings. Three of Keller’s first 4 outings had been strong, however he gave up 4 homers in as many innings towards the Yankees on Saturday. The Sox determined to go in a distinct route, finally recalling rookie right-hander Nick Nastrini to take the rotation spot.
The 28-year-old Keller has pitched in elements of seven main league seasons. All of that point has been spent within the AL Central. The Royals plucked him out of the Arizona farm system as a Rule 5 choose again in 2017. Keller turned out to be one of many higher Rule 5 alternatives in current historical past. He posted a 3.08 ERA as a rookie and turned in 28 begins of 4.19 ERA ball throughout his second season. His outcomes have fallen off following a robust exhibiting within the abbreviated 2020 season.
Keller allowed greater than 5 earned runs per 9 in each 2021 and ’22. He was carrying a 4.57 mark with 14 extra walks than strikeouts by way of 45 1/3 innings final yr when he was recognized with thoracic outlet syndrome. Kansas Metropolis let him stroll in free company final winter.
Groups in search of rotation depth might supply Keller a minor league deal. Whereas his current manufacturing hasn’t been nice, he’s nonetheless adept at protecting the ball on the bottom. He racked up grounders at a 56.1% clip throughout his transient run with the Sox. He has solely had one season the place opponents bought the ball within the air greater than half the time they put it in play towards him.