Brad

Keller

As expected, Keller has refused an outright assignment to Triple-A Worcester after passing through waivers unclaimed. The 29-year-old righty could wind up returning on a new deal with the Red Sox as extra organizational relief depth at some point in the coming days.

Keller has does yeoman’s work the last couple weeks, gobbling up eight innings in mop-up duty since August 10, but there’s really no longer a spot for him with Rich Hill being added to Boston’s 40-man roster. He could wind up opting to stick around as emergency depth once he passes through waivers.

The Red Sox waived Keller back at the beginning of August and was re-signed to a minor league contract. He’s now getting another chance with the big club given how many games the Red Sox have to play this week. It’s unclear how long Keller will remain in the Red Sox bullpen. Joely Rodriguez was designated for assignment to make room.

The Red Sox curiously started the season with Rodriguez as their only left-handed reliever while sending Brennan Bernardino to the minors. Rodriguez was then waived in May, made it through waivers, and was sent back to Triple-A, so this is now the second time the Red Sox have designated him for assignment this season. He has a 5.93 ERA in 13 2/3 innings this season and figures to go unclaimed on waivers again. Brad Keller was called up in a corresponding move.

Keller elected free agency after being outrighted off the roster, but he is back with the Red Sox less than a full day later. He provides depth for the Worcester pitching staff.

Keller has the service time to elect an outright to Triple-A, and he did just that after the Red Sox made that move Monday. The 29-year-old right-hander will now be free to sign with a new club, but he’s likely looking at a minor-league team if he signs with another MLB organization

Keller, called up Friday, took a loss in relief after allowing three runs in four innings Saturday against the Astros. He has a 5.30 ERA in 37 1/3 innings for the White Sox and Red Sox this year.

With Cooper Criswell heading to the COVID-19 injured list on Friday, Keller will get another opportunity to pitch for the Red Sox. It’s possible that he could see bulk innings on Saturday if he isn’t utilized during Friday night’s contest against the Astros.

The veteran struggled in his first two outings for the Red Sox before seemingly righting the ship over his next six appearances, allowing just one run on five hits in 9 2/3 innings. However, he had a rough outing on Sunday, allowing three runs on four hits in one inning. He will continue to operate as organizational relief depth and could be back up in a multi-inning capacity at some point in the future. Josh Winckowski was called up in a corresponding move.

The Red Sox have used Winckowski mostly out of the bullpen this season, but he started in six of his seven appearances at Triple-A while posting a 2.87 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and a 19/11 K/BB ratio in 31 1/3 innings. He will likely return to a multi-inning relief role for the Red Sox. Brad Keller was sent to Triple-A in a corresponding move.