Keller (0-1) gave up four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out four in four innings in Saturday's 6-2 loss in St. Louis.

EDGE Analysis

Keller allowed a run in the first and three runs in the third, including a Paul DeJong two-run home run. The 26-year-old had a strong spring with a 2.92 ERA in four starts but scuffled in his 2022 debut. While Keller has thrived in the minor leagues, he has yet to find his way for the Pirates outside of five good starts in 2020. His next start will likely be at home against Washington at the end of next week.

Keller secured a spot in the Pirates' Opening Day rotation and is scheduled to make his first start of the season Saturday in St. Louis, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Keller appeared to be on strong footing for a rotation spot heading into the spring, but he solidified his spot after submitting a 2.92 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 12:3 K:BB across 12.1 innings over his four starts. Though Keller's results weren't eye-popping on the surface, he and the Pirates are optimistic he can take a step forward in 2022 after he tinkered with his repertoire over the winter to incorporate a new-look slider featuring more horizontal break, according to Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic. The refined slider could emerge as a much-needed reliable breaking pitch to his upper-90s fastball, as Keller has thus far struggled to find a consistent secondary offering to complement the heater during his time in the majors.

Keller (thigh) said Sunday he'll be fine to make his next start after being hit by a comebacker Saturday against the Tigers, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Keller made a precautionary exit from Saturday's contest after being struck in the thigh, but it shouldn't affect his status going forward. The 25-year-old made 23 starts for Pittsburgh last season and had a 6.17 ERA, 1.79 WHIP and 92:49 K:BB over 100.2 innings, and he's attempting to retain a rotation spot during spring training.

Keller isn't dealing with anything worse than a bruised thigh after getting hit by a comebacker Saturday against the Tigers, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Keller exited the game after getting hit, but that seems to be nothing more than a precautionary measure, as the Pirates had little reason to risk anything during a Grapefruit League game. Keller is merely considered day-to-day and had already thrown 18 pitches, so the incident should have minimal impact on his readiness for the upcoming season.

Keller was removed from Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers after he was hit in the right thigh by a comebacker in the top of the second inning, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Keller tossed 18 pitches prior to his departure and allowed two hits and no walks while striking out one in 1.2 innings. He likely wouldn't have pitched much longer even if he wasn't hit by a comebacker, and it's not clear whether his thigh injury will impact his training regimen during camp.

Keller allowed a run on three hits and a walk over three innings in Sunday's loss to the Reds. He struck out three and did not factor in the decision.

EDGE Analysis

Keller turned in a pair of scoreless innings before coughing up an RBI to Nick Castellanos in the third. It was his shortest outing since June 10 but he lowered his ERA to 6.17 through 100.2 innings this season. The 25-year-old righty ended his 2021 campaign with a 92:49 K:BB, including a 24:10 K:BB since the start of September.

Keller (5-11) gave up seven hits and four walks in 5.2 innings Tuesday, getting the win in a 6-2 decision over Cincinnati.

EDGE Analysis

The victory was just his second in 11 starts dating back to May. Keller likely pitched better than his line, which included a pair of four-pitch walks to Jonathan India. He faced a season-high 25 batters as the organization tries to salvage a disappointing 2021 from one of its former top prospects. Keller has compiled a 5.96 ERA and 1.75 WHIP in 93.2 innings, keeping fantasy managers on the sidelines.

Keller (4-11) allowed four runs on 10 hits and one walk with six strikeouts through five innings, taking the loss in Wednesday's 5-1 defeat to the Tigers.

EDGE Analysis

Keller allowed a season-high 10 hits on the night, though only one went for extra bases. Still, the singles parade from the Tigers was enough to tag the right-hander for four runs and hand him his 11th loss of the season. On the plus side, Keller has posted a 14:1 K:BB in his first two starts of September. The sample size is obviously small, but a solid finish to the year could do wonders to improve Keller's standing within Pittsburgh's organization.

Keller (4-10) did not factor into the decision Thursday pitching six scoreless innings on six hits with eight strikeouts in a loss to Chicago.

EDGE Analysis

Keller turned in arguably his best start of the season Thursday in which he tied a season-high eight strikeouts across six scoreless innings. The right-hander was in-line for win No. 5 of the season when he exited after the sixth inning, but the bullpen immediately surrendered the lead taking a potential win away from Keller. The 25-year-old will take a 6.23 ERA into his next start, likely coming next week against Detroit.

Keller won't start Wednesday against the White Sox as previously scheduled, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Max Kranick will instead be promoted from Triple-A Indianapolis to take the mound for Pittsburgh. Assuming Keller is simply pushed back a day to start Thursday, it could be a beneficial change given he'd face the rebuilding Cubs rather than the division-leading White Sox.