Former Atlanta Braves starter Dallas Keuchel received a surprise chance to continue his career this week, joining the Kansas City Royals on a minor league deal.
We have signed LHP Dallas Keuchel to a minor league contract.
— Raising Royals (@KCRoyalsPD) July 9, 2025
Keuchel joined the Braves for a lone season in 2019 just as the team was starting to turn the corner on a painful rebuild. The veteran was a solid option but would go on to sign a long-term deal with the Chicago White Sox. It was a move that would play out poorly, resulting in Keuchel's release and the starter bouncing around the league.
Since leaving Atlanta, the starter has spent time with the Chicago White Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks, Texas Rangers, Minnesota Twins, and Milwaukee Brewers. Each stop exposed a dip in velocity and alarming regression in movement of the veteran's pitches.
Former Braves Starter Dallas Keuchel Earns Surprise Second-Chance
Keuchel making a return to relevance with Kansas City would be a fun story for a former starter who the Braves could easily use in the current rotation. It doesn't matter what version of the starter showed up in Atlanta; the team simply needs someone capable of eating innings. Things have grown so dark for the Braves that Aaron Bummer has earned a start.
Add in the fact that the team is ruining prospects' development by calling them up far too early, and it is clear Keuchel should've been a call for the Braves. It truly doesn't matter at this point who the Braves opt to put on the mound. With the season over, the team simply needs to find arms capable of saving bullpen pieces and capable of eating innings to give the injured rotation time to heal and prepare for next season.
Still, there is reason to wonder if Keuchel can turn back the clock and become an option at the end of the Royals' rotation. The former American League Cy Young winner was incredible during his Astros tenure and a solid option for two seasons with the Braves and White Sox. The lack of recent production doesn't take away the hope that he can turn back the clock.
For Keuchel, this is a great chance to turn the corner in a situation that has an opening the starter could take advantage of. It will be an interesting story for Braves fans to keep an eye on as the season continues.