Brian

Keller

Keller went unclaimed on waivers after being designated for assignment to make room for lefty Nestor Cortes on Philadelphia’s 40-man roster earlier this week.

Keller threw three innings against the Yankees on June 25 and hadn’t been used since. It’s an incredible story that he made it to the big leagues for the first time in his age-32 season after missing the 2024 and 2025 calendar years, but the Phillies weren’t exactly using him of late so the demotion makes sense.

Keller had thrown six innings his last two times out for Triple-A Lehigh Valley, but the Phillies didn’t ask for nearly that much from him tonight. He did a nice job is throwing first-pitch strikes to nine of 11 batters and allowing only two hits, so he should get to stick around for now. He might start next time through, though the Phillies are hoping to fill the opening in their rotation with an acquisition prior to the trade deadline.

Keller receives his first promotion to the big leagues prior to Saturday’s game against the Yankees. The unnheralded 32-year-old has posted a strong 2.23 ERA and 41/12 K/BB ratio across 36 1/3 innings on the doorstep of the majors this season.