Phillies lose 30-year-old pitcher to season-ending injury

The Philadelphia Phillies’ trade deadline needs just grew.

Reliever Brad Keller has a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, and is expected to miss the rest of the season, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

If he undergoes surgery on his right elbow, it would keep him out a significant portion, if not all, of 2027 as well, Passan reports.

In 32 games this season, Keller is 2-1 with a 4.02 ERA and three saves. The 30-year-old right-hander is in his ninth major league season, and first with the Phillies.

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The Phillies signed Keller to a two-year contract in December 2025. He is owed $7 million this season and $11 million next year.

In his career with the Kansas City Royals (2018-23), Chicago White Sox (2024), Boston Red Sox (2024), Chicago Cubs (2025) and Phillies, Keller is 44-60 with a 4.13 ERA.

Keller found his stride last year as a set-up man for the Cubs. He finished the season 4-2 with a 2.07 ERA across 68 appearances, striking out 75 batters in 69.2 innings.

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That set him up for a strong payday in his free agent walk year. His conversion to a max-effort relief pitcher, along with his usage, might also have set him up for a major injury.

If Keller needs Tommy John surgery, he will be expected to miss the next 12 to 18 months.

With the MLB trade deadline looming on Aug. 3, the Phillies just became major players to acquire relief help. In the meantime, right-handers Orion Kerkering, Jonathan Bowlan, and Chase Shugart figure to move up the bullpen pecking order.

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By Average Leverage Index, only closer Jhoan Duran had been used in higher-leverage situations by the Phillies this season than Keller.

Keller led the Phillies with 13 holds, allowing only three of the 13 runners he inherited to score.

With very few teams expected to declare themselves sellers, the trade deadline could feature relatively few trades, and more of the last-minute variety. Expect the Phillies, who hold the second National League Wild Card position at 54-43, to be active.