The Boston Red Sox have remained active this offseason, and on Tuesday they added another intriguing piece to their pitching mix with an international flavor. Boston reached a free-agent agreement with right-handed pitcher according to a report from The Athletic’s Will Sammon, continuing the club’s efforts to add depth and upside to its roster.
Keller returns to Major League Baseball after spending the last four seasons pitching in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league, where he quietly rebuilt his career. During his time overseas, the 32-year-old posted an impressive 2.42 ERA, a performance that helped reopen the door to another opportunity in the majors.
Originally selected in the 18th round of the 2015 MLB Draft by the Miami Marlins out of Southeastern Louisiana University, Keller’s professional journey has been anything but straightforward. He worked his way through the minor leagues and eventually made his MLB debut with Miami in 2019. That season, Keller appeared in 10 games and delivered encouraging results, finishing with a 3.38 ERA while showing flashes of the potential that once made him a draft pick.
His early momentum, however, did not fully carry over into the following years. Keller spent the shortened 2020 season with the Los Angeles Angels, but his time there was brief. He pitched in just two games, surrendering two runs across 2.1 innings, before once again finding himself searching for stability.
In 2021, Keller joined the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he saw his largest MLB workload to date. He appeared in 32 games for Pittsburgh, but the results were inconsistent, as he finished the season with a 6.48 ERA. Across his major-league career, Keller has logged 46.1 innings, striking out 48 batters while continuing to battle command and consistency issues.
Facing an uncertain future in the majors, Keller made the bold decision to head overseas. Standing 6-foot-4 with a projectable frame, he used his time in Japan to refine his mechanics, improve his pitch mix, and regain confidence on the mound. The move proved beneficial, as he became a reliable arm in NPB and established himself as a dependable pitcher against strong competition.
Despite his success abroad, Keller was not in a hurry to leave Japan. Still, the timing felt right to take another shot at Major League Baseball, and the Red Sox presented an opportunity that aligned with his goals. Boston’s pitching staff has seen turnover and question marks, making Keller an interesting depth addition with legitimate upside.
Keller will face competition to earn a spot on the Red Sox roster, but his path back to MLB adds an appealing storyline to spring training. If he can translate his success from Japan to the major-league level, his return would represent a notable comeback and another example of how international experience can reshape a player’s career.
For Boston, the signing is a low-risk move that could pay off if Keller continues the progress he made overseas.
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