MILWAUKEE -- It’s been nearly a decade since Dallas Keuchel won the American League Cy Young Award, and four years since he logged a Major League ERA better than 5.00. But the Brewers are betting that at 36, the well-traveled left-hander can still help a starting rotation.
The Brewers acquired Keuchel from the Mariners’ Triple-A roster on Tuesday for cash, and while they didn’t announce where they were sending him, some corresponding moves signaled that Keuchel’s next outing could be in Milwaukee.
The Brewers amended their probable pitchers with “TBA” listed for Wednesday’s series finale against the Rangers, instead of the previously scheduled Colin Rea, who is healthy and presumably will bump to Milwaukee’s next series against the rival Cubs. The Brewers also optioned right-hander Carlos Rodriguez back to Triple-A Nashville, leaving an open spot for Keuchel in a starting rotation that has been beset by injuries this season.
And most telling of all, Keuchel was there in the clubhouse after Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Rangers.
“I’ve been everywhere in this game. I’ve been at the top, I’ve been at the bottom, I’ve been in between," Keuchel said. "It kind of makes you take a step back and wonder if you still want to do it and still can do it. The whole time, I felt the love of the game and my desire to compete is still there.”
Keuchel was 7-4 with a 3.93 ERA in 13 starts for Triple-A Tacoma after signing a Minor League deal with the Mariners.
“I don’t know if it will be this week, but you don’t sign him to keep him in the Minor Leagues,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said. “We’re not looking for Minor League depth with our pitching situation.”
Wednesday’s series finale against Texas is a 1:10 p.m. CT first pitch, and if it’s Keuchel on the mound, he would be the 14th pitcher to start for Milwaukee this season in 81 games.
From Seattle’s perspective, while the club seemingly has a need for starting pitching depth in the wake of Bryan Woo hitting the 15-day injured list on Tuesday, Keuchel wasn’t being legitimately considered.
He would’ve needed to be added to the 40-man roster, and once there, would’ve needed to remain since he doesn’t have Minor League options, whereas the Mariners’ other replacement potentials do, including Emerson Hancock and Jhonathan Diaz, who’ve each filled in for Woo this season. The Mariners could also work around three upcoming off-days to potentially skip a few of Woo’s rotation turns leading into the All-Star break.
Keuchel’s best years were with the Astros from 2012-18, when he averaged 178 innings over his six full Major League seasons, won 20 games along with a Cy Young Award in 2015, and made the AL All-Star team in ‘15 and ‘17. Since then, he has pitched in the Majors for the Braves, White Sox, D-backs, Rangers and Twins.
Keuchel’s last Major League action was last season for Minnesota. He had a 5.97 ERA in 37 2/3 innings, including six starts.
Key to the Brewers’ interest was not only their urgent need for innings, but their stellar defense. Even at his peak, Keuchel’s strength was not strikeouts but inducing weak contact, and the Brewers have the National League’s second-best defense by defensive runs saved.
“What he’s dealt with the last three years after being as good as he was, that’s good for you sometimes. It tests what kind of man you are,” said injured Brewers starter Wade Miley, a friend of Keuchel who goes all the way back to the Cape Cod League together. “I’m looking forward to seeing him throw. I hope he helps us. We need him.”
Keuchel likes his chances to help. He cited the Brewers' stellar defense and reputation for fun as reasons he had them circled as a possible landing spot dating to last offseason.
Being there Tuesday night, he said, "I've already felt the aura here, and it just makes you feel good."
"My stuff is as crisp as it's been in a long time and I think my velo bump has been an eye-opener," Keuchel said. "And that's a loose term. It's not like I'm throwing 94 [mph], so don't expect that anytime soon. But the average fastball has been up there to 2018-19. That wasn't intended, but it was my body feeling good and maybe having some clear thoughts and having some joy."