Pirates Lose Mitch Keller for Rest of the 2026 Season
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced that right-hander Mitch Keller will miss the remainder of the 2026 season after suffering a teres major muscle injury in his throwing shoulder.
Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said the injury is believed to have occurred during Keller's start against the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday, where he allowed seven runs in a 10-2 loss. Cherington said Keller did not report any discomfort during the game but informed the team after leaving the mound. An MRI on Monday confirmed the injury.
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Keller will not throw for six to eight weeks, with the club now focusing on getting him healthy for the offseason. The 30-year-old had shown signs of improvement in his previous two starts, allowing just two runs over 10 1/3 innings, but finished the season with a 6-8 record and a 5.29 ERA.
Pirates manager Don Kelly described the injury as a major setback for both Keller and the team, especially with Pittsburgh still chasing a National League Wild Card spot.
Cherington added that Keller's injury influenced the Pirates' decision to acquire right-hander Lake Bachar from the Miami Marlins before the trade deadline. Keller has spent his entire eight-year MLB career with Pittsburgh, posting a 48-73 record, a 4.60 ERA, and 926 strikeouts in 187 appearances.
