In his return to Chicago, Phillies reliever Brad Keller recalls the ‘cool moments’ he had with the Cubs
Once a journeyman starter, Keller revitalized his career with Chicago last season. He returns to Wrigley Field with an increased role as the Phillies' closer with Jhoan Duran on the injured list.
CHICAGO — Brad Keller only spent one season on the Cubs, but it was a season that changed the course of his career.
Formerly a journeyman starter, Keller latched onto the Cubs with a minor league deal in 2025. He didn’t have a clear path to a rotation spot and expected to wind up in triple A, until the team approached him about trying out the bullpen.
Keller agreed, and took to it right away. The right-hander’s velocity spiked over three miles per hour and he posted a 2.07 ERA, leading the Phillies to offer him a two-year, $22 million contract to bolster their bullpen this offseason.
» READ MORE: What they’re saying about the Phillies: Rob Thomson’s job security, Alec Bohm on the trade block, and more
This week, with the Phillies at Wrigley Field, Keller is back at the place that helped change everything.
“Had lot of cool moments over here, pitching the playoffs for the first time — going to the playoffs for the first time — just some really cool experiences with my time here," Keller said. “My entire career, I’ve always been a starter. So I’m super thankful for that move. And I don’t know where I’d be if I stayed as a starter and was in triple A for them last year, you know?”
He already saw many of his former teammates last week, when the Cubs visited Citizens Bank Park and took two of three from the Phillies. Ahead of Monday’s series opener in Chicago, Keller spent some time catching up old friends in the outfield.
“It’s weird being on this side, just because I’ve only been over here once,” he said.
Keller returns to Wrigley in a role that recently increased in importance. The Phillies signed Keller with the intention for him to be a primary setup option for closer Jhoan Duran. Keller had a 4.15 ERA in 8⅔ innings entering Monday, though his peripheral stats are better, with a 2.49 expected ERA and a 62.5% ground ball rate.
But with Duran now on the 15-day injured list with a strained left oblique, Phillies manager Rob Thomson said he expects Keller to get the bulk of the save opportunities until their closer returns. The bullpen has taken a few hits over the past few weeks, with Zach Pop (right calf strain) and Jonathan Bowlan (right groin strain) also on the injured list. All three of the injured relievers are also right-handed.
Of course, the Phillies offense will need to pick things up in order for Keller’s services to be required. A Phillies pitcher hasn’t posted a save since Duran on April 11, prior to his injury.
» READ MORE: Phillies’ frustration boils over after sweep by Braves drops them to 8-13. ‘At some point, it’s going to change.’
But Keller will be ready whenever that is. He learned with the Cubs last season that there’s nothing he likes more than the adrenaline spike when the bullpen phone rings, and a high-leverage situation only heightens that. He posted five saves for Chicago, including two in the postseason.
“I’m excited to get the opportunity,” Keller said. “Those last three outs are awesome. When you feel the energy of a crowd, it’s a lot of fun. So I’m just trying to make the most of the opportunity that I have until Duran comes back.”
Extra bases
J.T. Realmuto was out of Monday’s lineup with low back tightness, though he was available in an emergency situation. Thomson said he is feeling better and it is possible he could be back in the lineup on Tuesday. … Zack Wheeler (thoracic outlet decompression surgery) traveled with the Phillies to Chicago following his rehab outing for double-A Reading on Sunday. Thomson will make an announcement regarding Wheeler’s next steps on Tuesday. … Jesús Luzardo (1-3, 7.94 ERA) is scheduled to start Tuesday against Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga (1-1, 2.45). Imanaga held the Phillies to one earned run over six innings at Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday.
In Trea Turner and Justin Crawford, the Phillies have two of baseball's fastest players at the top and bottom of their batting order. It's a baserunning coach's dream. Paco Figueroa sat down with "Phillies Extra" to discuss his philosophy on baserunning and how the Phillies might be able to leverage the elite speed of Turner and Crawford to boost an offense that has struggled to score runs early in the season. Watch here.
You can also subscribe to the podcast version of Phillies Extra on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Previous episodes: Gage Wood | Scott Boras | Brian Barber | Aaron Nola | Justin Crawford | Garrett Stubbs | Kyle Schwarber | Brad Keller | J.T.Realmuto | Orion Kerkering