Bobby

Keppel

Keppel gave up five runs and walked four while striking out two. He’s 0-3 despite a 3.64 ERA in four starts and two relief appearances with the big club. His 15/12 K/BB ratio in 29 2/3 innings of work means he’s not to be used in AL-only leagues.

Keppel had a shutout going until Jose Lopez and Raul Ibanez homered in the seventh. He’s been a nice surprise for the Royals since he was called up last week, but the 5.00 ERA he had in Triple-A suggests that it won’t last.

Keppel was removed from a 2-0 game after giving up a single to Hank Blalock to start the ninth. If that was all it was going to take to get him pulled, he shouldn’t have started the inning in the first place. Burgos replaced him and gave up three runs, the last two coming after Elmer Dessens replaced him. Keppel was at just 99 pitches when he was removed. He’s a weak bet for the long-term and it wouldn’t be a very good idea to pick him up in AL-only leagues, but he definitely deserved a victory tonight.

Keppel, a former Mets prospect, will be making his major league debut after posting a 5.00 ERA in nine starts for Omaha. He’s unlikely to be of much use in middle relief.

After a nice start, Keppel had lasted a total of 7 2/3 innings in his last three outings. He was 0-4 with a 4.78 ERA overall.

The bullpen did a good job to prevent Keppel from taking the loss tonight by giving up just two runs -- one earned -- in 6 2/3 innings of work. Keppel probably won’t have to worry about losing his job just yet and a matchup against the Twins next time out may help his 5.50 ERA, but he can’t be used in fantasy leagues at any point.

The 31-year-old right-hander hasn’t appeared in the major leagues since he was a member of the Twins during the 2009 season. He has spent the last four seasons in Japan, where he compiled a 3.67 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 169/131 K/BB ratio over 363 1/3 innings. He’ll serve as additional bullpen depth for the Reds.

Waechter made 13 minor league starts last season after returning from major shoulder surgery, and Nelson missed the whole year after having his shoulder operated. If healthy, Waechter could get a look at the back of the rotation at some point. He was 14-25 with a 5.62 ERA in 54 starts and six relief appearances for the Rays between 2003 and 2006.

Keppel, 27, is 3-3 with a 2.43 ERA for in 23 appearances (three starts) this season for Triple-A Rochester. He’ll be used mainly in middle relief. Luis Ayala was designated for assignment Monday evening to make room.