WooSox Notes: Brad Keller returns to the Red Sox organization following contract opt-out
WooSox announce additional roster moves ahead of Tuesday night's game
Red Sox right-handed pitcher Brad Keller elected to become a free agent and then later re-signed with the club, according to The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier. The veteran was optioned to the WooSox on Monday in a series of roster moves to add fresh arms to the Red Sox bullpen.
Due to Keller having five-plus years of big league service, he must consent to being optioned to the minors. He had agreed to being optioned once earlier this season, but following his second demotion, Keller attempted to find a major league contract. Unfortunately for the righty, that never materialized.
The 29-year-old spent time with the Royals and White Sox before joining Boston this season. He has logged 37 1/3 innings between the Red Sox and White Sox and posted a 5.30 ERA.
Keller pitched for the Red Sox on Saturday in the loss to the Astros. The righty allowed three runs in four frames and took the loss. While in the minors, he was significantly better, posting an ERA almost a run lower than what he had in the majors.
With Keller returning to the Red Sox, he will remain off the 40-man roster while providing insurance if the team needs another arm to eat innings. The Red Sox rotation is currently beaten up with Cooper Criswell on the COVID related injured list, James Paxton is out with a right calf strain, and Nick Pivetta will make his first start since being skipped last week when the club travels to Baltimore.
WooSox make additional roster moves
The WooSox activated left-handed pitcher Shane Drohan off the development list and outfielder Dalton Guthrie off the 7-day injured list.
Drohan had been on the WooSox development list after the White Sox returned him after being designated for assignment. Chicago had selected the southpaw during the Rule 5 draft last December.
While with the White Sox organization, Drohan was used as a reliever. He made 10 appearances out of the bullpen, posting an 8.68 ERA, giving up 10 runs (nine earned) off nine hits while striking out 15 batters and walking eight over 9 1/3 frames.
The 6-foot-3 southpaw offers a four-pitch mix, featuring a fastball that sits between 92 and 94 mph and tops out at 96 mph. He also operates with a cutter, which he added this offseason, an 83-mph changeup, and a 75-89-mph curveball.
The Red Sox drafted Drohan in the fifth round out of Florida State in 2020, and he flashed his potential last season. Drohan dominated over six starts with the Portland Sea Dogs, positing a 1.32 ERA. He was promoted to Triple-A Worcester, where he struggled, recording a 6.47 ERA in 21 outings (19 starts).
Guthrie will be activated and be another bench option for Chad Tracy with the promotion of Roman Anthony from Double-A Portland. The 28-year-old has been on the injured list, dealing with a hamstring injury.
