Twins bolster rotation depth with former Cy Young winner Keuchel

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins have signed veteran left-hander Dallas Keuchel to a Minor League deal, manager Rocco Baldelli confirmed before Minnesota’s series finale against the Red Sox on Thursday at Target Field.

Keuchel, 35, was one of the game’s stingiest starting pitchers at his peak, winning the American League’s Cy Young Award in 2015 and the World Series in ‘17 with the Astros while making two All-Star teams and winning five Gold Glove Awards.

But it’s been a long time since that stretch of dominance, and Keuchel’s stuff and results have declined since he posted a 1.99 ERA for the White Sox during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. He last pitched in the Majors with the White Sox, D-backs and Rangers in ‘22, posting a 9.20 ERA in 14 starts with his sinker averaging 87.2 mph.

Still, Keuchel has been working at Driveline, the noted baseball training facility that has recently helped other Twins pitchers like Caleb Thielbar, Griffin Jax and Joe Ryan, and a recent Twitter thread from Driveline Director of Pitching Chris Langin indicated that Keuchel’s fastball averaged 89.0 mph and sinker averaged 88.9 mph in a recent bullpen session, which is where he has been successful in the past, as he never particularly relied on velocity for his success.

“We’re glad to have him in the organization and to give him an opportunity to go out there and pitch and show all the things that he's been working on, because I've heard he's been working on a few things,” Baldelli said.

Keuchel has not been in affiliated ball since he was released by the Rangers last Sept. 4, and at this point, the Twins still have some depth within their starting group -- though that outlook will depend on how Kenta Maeda looks in his return from the 15-day IL as part of his continued buildback from Tommy John surgery.

Louie Varland will still be the Twins’ next man up in Triple-A St. Paul, but with Tyler Mahle done for the season with Tommy John surgery of his own, additional rotation depth can only help, especially as the Twins have shortened up Brent Headrick, José De León, Jordan Balazovic and Josh Winder into bulk relief roles and top prospect Simeon Woods Richardson has struggled in Triple-A.

“Like everyone here, everyone’s going to earn their opportunities,” Baldelli said. “Seeing him back out there is a good thing, and I’m glad we got him.”