Diamondbacks appointed veteran left-hander Dallas Keuchel for the mission, reports ESPN’s Jeff Passan (via Twitter). The team has yet to officially announce the move.
This is the second DFA of the season for Keuchel, who was cut by the White Sox earlier this year while playing the third and final season of a three-year, $55.5 million deal. Former AL winner Cy Young posted a pristine 1.99 ERA in 11 starts with ChiSox in the shortened 2020 season but recorded a lackluster 5.28 ERA in 30 starts a year ago before backing one back one more step in 2022.
Keuchel was rocked for a 7.88 ERA with the Sox, counting only 32 plays despite starting eight times. Defenders D landed him on a minor league contract after he cleared his exemption and became a free agent, hoping that a reunion with former Astros pitching coach Brent Strom – now is a pitching coach in Arizona – could help Keuchel reach some of his strikers with success. However, that has not been proven to be the case. Keuchel clearly struggled more with the Snakes, delivering 22 runs (earned 20) in just 18 2/3 frames before today’s DFA.
In recognition of Keuchel’s merit, he posted markedly improved hit and walk rates in Arizona. After posting identical 12.2% hit and walk rates in Chicago – both among the worst in the beginner’s league – he switched to a 20 hit rate .2% compared to 7.9% walking rate with D-back. Attack rate is still below average, but that walk rate is steady and Keuchel can still land hits at above average speed (though not at his peak speed when he’s longtime among the league leaders).
Whether that will be enough for another club to consider remains to be seen. Keuchel will be exempted for the week and will definitely complete a second and once again become a free agent. He will probably settle for a minor league contract wherever he goes.
