Brad Keller elbow tear puts Phillies bullpen on deadline alert
Philadelphia put Brad Keller on the injured list after announcing a torn UCL, adding pressure to a bullpen already under scrutiny before Aug. 3.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
3 min read
The Phillies’ bullpen problem picked up a painful new detail Thursday: right-hander Brad Keller has a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow, the club announced.
Philadelphia placed Keller on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to July 13. CBS Sports reported that the injury is likely to end his 2026 season and could cost him a large chunk of 2027, depending on what comes next medically.
Keller, who is nearing his 31st birthday, joined the Phillies last offseason on a two-year, $22 million contract. CBS Sports noted that if the injury eventually leads to Tommy John surgery, he may not pitch again during the life of that deal.
Before the injury, Keller had been working in a setup role. He owns a 4.02 ERA, a 114 ERA+, 32 strikeouts and 13 walks across 31 1/3 innings this season.
A bullpen already under the microscope
The timing is rough for Philadelphia. The Phillies have climbed back into playoff position and are in the National League East race under interim manager Don Mattingly, according to CBS Sports, but the late innings remain a clear concern outside of All-Star closer Jhoan Duran.
Philadelphia’s relief group entered the second half with a 4.44 ERA, ranked 21st in MLB, according to CBS Sports. The bullpen also ranked 25th in opponents’ batting average at .253 and 20th in WHIP at 1.35.
There is one brighter underlying number: CBS Sports listed the Phillies eighth in bullpen FIP, suggesting the relief corps has not been poor across every measure. Still, the run prevention numbers have left the front office with work to do.
The left-handed side has been especially rocky. CBS Sports reported that Tanner Banks, José Alvarado and Kyle Backhus each have an ERA above 5.80 this season. Together, the three lefties have allowed 58 earned runs in 77 1/3 innings, a combined 6.75 ERA.
Deadline list gets longer
Keller’s injury lands with the Aug. 3 trade deadline coming fast, and it may force top baseball executive Dave Dombrowski to add more relief help to the Phillies’ list.
CBS Sports reported that Philadelphia already had several needs before Keller went down, including another starting pitcher and a right-handed-hitting outfielder. Bullpen help was likely already on the radar, and Keller’s absence could push the Phillies toward looking for more than one reliever.
Relievers are often among the most available players in deadline season, but this market may be tighter. CBS Sports reported that a low threshold for staying in the postseason race could leave fewer sellers and more clubs chasing the same bullpen arms.
For Philadelphia, the message is plain enough. The Phillies are back in the race, but the bridge to Duran just lost an important piece.
This story draws on original reporting from CBS Sports.