The Diamondbacks have a designated left-handed veteran Dallas Keechel for the job, reports ESPN’s Jeff Passan (via twitter). The team has not yet officially announced the move.
It’s the second DFA of the season for Keuchel, who was released by the White Sox earlier this year while playing the third and final season of a three-year, $55.5 million contract. The former AL Cy Young winner posted a flawless 1.99 ERA in 11 starts with the ChiSox during the shortened 2020 season in 11 starts, but posted a lackluster 5.28 ERA in 30 starts a year ago before taking another step down in 2022 made.
Keuchel was shaken for a 7.88 ERA with the Sox and counted just 32 innings despite eight starts. The D-Backs put him on a minor league deal after he cleared waivers and became a free agent in hopes that a reunion with former Astros pitching coach Brent Strom — now an Arizona pitching coach — would bring Keuchel could help capitalize on some of his previous success. But that has not come true. Keuchel fought even harder with the Snakes, scoring 22 runs (20 earned) in just 18 2/3 frames before today’s DFA.
To his credit, Keuchel posted significantly improved strikeout and walk rates in Arizona. After scoring identical strikeout and walk rates of 12.2% in Chicago — both among the lowest marks in the league to start with — he posted a 20.2% strikeout rate versus one at the D-backs 7.9% walk rate. The strikeout rate is still below average, but that walk rate is solid, and Keuchel can still induce grounders at an above average rate (though nowhere near his peak rate when he was consistently among the league leaders).
Whether that’s enough for another club to take a look remains to be seen. Keuchel will be placed on the waiver within the week and will certainly be free a second time and become a free agent again. He’ll likely settle for a minor league deal wherever he ends up next.