It appears that Mitch Keller’s next start could come in the big leagues, as sources told the Post-Gazette on Friday that the right-handed starter was en route to Pittsburgh.
While it’s not known when Keller might start, the Pirates have “TBA” listed in their game notes for Sunday in the series finale against the Phillies.
Keller, who was optioned to Class AAA Indianapolis on June 12, was supposed to start for the Indians on Friday but will obviously not make that start.
In eight games (six starts) with the Indians, Keller has gone 1-1 with a 3.21 ERA. He has struck out 39 and walked 13 in 28 innings, allowing a .241 batting average against.
The Pirates have preached fastball command, consistency and the execution of pitches when ahead in counts to Keller, who was also supposed to be improving his confidence by facing minor league hitters.
Reports on Keller have been positive, with all of those boxes checked, although the results have been a little up and down. Keller has actually allowed six earned runs in his past two starts (8 innings) while also walking six.
Wil Crowe is expected to start the first game of the Phillies series, while JT Brubaker is slated to go Saturday.
Keller went 3-7 in 12 MLB starts before he went down, pitching to a 7.04 ERA. He struck out 51, walked 29 and gave up seven home runs in 47 1/3 innings.
Jason Mackey: jmackey@post-gazette.com and Twitter @JMackeyPG.
First Published: July 30, 2021, 4:07 p.m.
