How an Increase in Fastball Velocity Is Helping Chicago Cubs Reliever Brad Keller Find Success

How an increase in fastball velocity is helping Chicago Cubs reliever Brad Keller find success

CINCINNATI — Brad Keller grinned at the mention of his fastball velocity. After his four-seam fastball sat at 93.8 mph last year, Keller’s heater is averaging 97 mph with the Chicago Cubs. The dramatic increase hasn’t escaped Keller’s attention. He topped it out at 100 mph on a 1-2 pitch to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernández with the bases loaded and nobody out in the seventh inning April 22, attempting to hold the Cubs’ two-run lead. “I…

Veteran Reliever Returns to Cubs Bullpen

The Chicago Cubs have activated veteran right-handed pitcher Ryan Brasier from the injured list prior to their series opener against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday. The veteran reliever returns to the Cubs bullpen after missing all but one of the team’s 50 games so far in 2025. Brasier, 37, was acquired in the offseason as the Cubs sent cash to the Los Angeles Dodgers for the righty reliever. Brasier had just been designated for assignment by the…

Cubs roster move: Ryan Brasier activated from injured list, Ethan Roberts optioned

The Cubs have made a bullpen move.