July 16, 2026
John E. Sokolowski/Imagn Images
Brad Keller won't be lacing them up again for some time.
It might be time for the Phillies to move relief pitching from a low key need to a must improve ahead of the MLB's trade deadline this month.
Shortly after the team announced relief pitcher Brad Keller would be returning to the injured list Thursday, replaced by Seth Johnson, the news got even worse:
Phillies reliever Brad Keller has a torn UCL and is expected to miss the rest of the season. If he undergoes surgery on his right elbow, it would keep him out a significant portion, if not all, of 2027 as well. Keller signed a two-year, $22 million deal over the winter.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 16, 2026
That bridge will need to include someone from another team now, whether it's a trade deadline acquisition (or two... or three) or a promotion from within (Gage Wood perhaps?).
The pen is dangerously thin and shaky aside from Duran and Kerkering.
Stats from the Phillies Bullpen since July 1:
— Phillies Tailgate (@PhilsTailgate) July 11, 2026
29.2 IP | 41 H | 31 ER | 20 BB | 35 K
9.40 ERA | 2.06 WHIP pic.twitter.com/mx4nKZyCZv
Jonathan Bowlan and Tim Mayza have been adequate. The rest of the contributing pitchers have been absolute slop:
• José Alvarado: 6.82 ERA
• Chase Shugart: 4.97 ERA
• Tanner Banks: 7.07 ERA
• Kyle Backhus: 5.65 ERA
• Alan Rangel: 4.50 ERA
• Seth Johnson: 7.15 ERA
• Max Lazar: 7.11 ERA
The Keller injury is a killer, and if he's out for an entire year (including the first half or more of 2027) the Phillies are going to need to spend even more on their pitching staff and bullpen.
Expect to see some rumors flying about bullpen arms very soon.
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