Ex-Royals pitcher who ‘lost his love’ of the game has rekindled career with Cubs
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Brad Keller revived his MLB career with the Cubs after TOS surgery and struggles.
- Keller leads Cubs relievers with 49 strikeouts and carries a 2.76 ERA in 46 games.
- Boosted velocity and offseason recovery helped Keller rediscover pitching success.
After leaving the Royals following the 2023 season, right-hander Brad Keller thought his career might be over. And, frankly, he wasn’t sure that was a bad thing.
The Royals had found a gem in Keller in the Rule 5 draft ahead of the 2018 season, as he stood out as a relief pitcher that first season before moving to the rotation. He was the Royals’ best starter (7-4 with a 3.51 ERA) that season.
It wasn’t a fluke.
In his first three seasons in Kansas City, Keller had a 3.50 ERA in 78 games (57 starts), but he struggled over the next three years (5.14 ERA).
Things bottomed out in 2023, which was Keller’s last season before reaching free agency. He went on the injured list after making nine starts to open the season but returned and had two September relief appearances.
Keller underwent Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) surgery in October and became a free agent the following month. A 2022 National Institute of Health study found 81% of big-league pitchers had successful surgery for TOS, but the procedure is hardly commonplace.
“It was probably like the lowest of lows,” Keller said of his 2023 season. “It was my first year I was not playing the whole year. Didn’t really know much about TOS. Didn’t even know if I had it or not. Trying to not accept that I had it. Thinking it was something else, just because you don’t really know the success rate of that surgery. And so there were plenty of doubts. Tons of them.
“There were times where I was like, I didn’t want to do this anymore. I lost my love for the game.”
Keller paused and added: “Injuries play crazy mind games with you.”
Rather than sit out and recover during the 2024 season, Keller had stints with the White Sox and Red Sox. But he pitched in just 16 games (5.44 ERA).
Keller called 2024 a “get healthy year,” although he wasn’t sure what the demand would be for his services when the season ended.
But the Cubs came calling, and Keller has found success in their bullpen. In 46 appearances, Keller has a 2.76 ERA, and he’s allowed just one hit in his last six outings, which covers seven scoreless innings.
With the Royals, Keller’s fastball sat in the 93-94 mph range. It’s jumped to 97 mph with the Cubs. His strikeout rate (9.0 per nine innings) is the best of his career, and his 49 strikeouts are the most for any Chicago reliever,.
“I started using my legs a lot more and kind of have a little bit cleaner of an arm path,” Keller said. “And I think a lot of that contributed to a little bit of a velo jump. And I feel like this past offseason was my first healthy offseason I’ve had in a long time to where I didn’t really have to worry about doing any PT (physical therapy) or anything like that. Kind of just get strong and go out there and just enjoy the game, enjoy pitching again.”
Yep, baseball is fun again, which is a bit of a relief since he pondered quitting. It doesn’t hurt that the Cubs are leading the National League wild-card standings.
Keller didn’t have an opportunity to pitch against the Royals during a three-game series at Wrigley Field last month, but he sought out former teammate Salvador Perez and members of the medical staff.
Although he had a sour finish with the Royals, he still has happy memories of his time with the franchise. He was the team’s opening day starter in 2019 and 2021, and he made lifelong friends.
“Kansas City meant a lot to me, and the logo and everything like that,” Keller said. “That was my first opportunity in the big leagues, and they did a lot for me. And it was really special.”
This story was originally published August 5, 2025 at 9:38 AM.
