
The Boston Red Sox will have pitchers and catchers report to their spring training facility Feb. 10 in Fort Myers, Fla., and there will be a new face that will be among that group.
According to a report on "X" from The Athletic's Will Sammon, the Red Sox have signed right-handed reliever Kyle Keller to a minor league deal with a spring training invite.
Keller will receive $1.9 million if he makes the major league roster and will have an additional $500,000 in performance-based incentives.
Keller was originally picked by the Miami Marlins in the 18th round of the 2015 MLB Draft out of Southeastern Louisiana. He made his major league debut for Miami 2019.
Keller was traded to the Los Angeles Angels on Jan. 6, 2020. He made two appearances for Los Angeles in the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season. He was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in return for cash April 5, 2021.
With the Pirates, Keller made 32 appearances, by far his most in a single major league season.
From '19-21 with the trio of clubs, Keller posted a 5.83 ERA and struck out 48 batters in 46.1 innings pitched across 44 outings.
Keller elected free agency following the '21 season. After he hit the open market, he began a multi-season excursion to Japan and competed in Nippon Professional Baseball from '22-25.
Keller pitched for the Hanshin Tigers from '22-23 and the Yomiuri Giants from '24-25. He won the Japan Series (NPB's version of the World Series) with the Tigers in '23.
In his four seasons in NPB, Keller boasted a 2.42 ERA and fanned 177 hitters in 152.1 innings pitched in 158 outings.
Boston's pitching staff has been a constantly-tinkered with facet of the organization this offseason.
On the starting rotation side, the Red Sox acquired Sonny Gray in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals, acquired Johan Oviedo in a deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates and signed Ranger Suarez to a six-year, $130 million contract.
When it comes to the bullpen, Boston traded right-hander Jordan Hicks to the Chicago White Sox in return for starting pitching prospect Gage Ziehl.
Returning to the Red Sox will be defending American League Reliever of the Year Aroldis Chapman.
The pitching staff has been one of the biggest points of emphasis for Boston for multiple seasons. If Keller is able to replicate his success in NPB with the Red Sox, he could be a necessary depth piece on the bullpen.
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