The Cubs have agreed to a minor league deal with right-hander , by Cubs Insiders Jacob Zanolla. Hell be in big league camp as a non-roster invitee next month. Theyre also finalizing a minor league pact to bring left-handed reliever back to the organization, . Keller, 29, quickly emerged as one of the better Rule 5 picks in recent memory when the Royals plucked him out of the D-backs system back in 2017. From 2018-20, he was a productive fixture on Kansas Citys staff, eventually sliding in as a set member of the rotation. In those three seasons, he logged 360 1/3 innings of 3.50 ERA ball with a 16.8% strikeout rate and 9.1% walk rate. Both those marks were worse than league-average, but Keller posted a strong 52.1% grounder rate and proved adept at dodging hard contact and keeping the ball in the park. In 2021, Kellers results deteriorated in a hurry. He still made 26 starts and ate up 133 1/3 innings, but his walk and ground-ball rates checked in at career-worst levels as his ERA spiked to 5.39. His ERA in 2022 was again north of 5.00 in a similar sample of innings. By 2023, Kellers command i sues had elevated to calamitous levels. He i sued 45 free pa ses in 45 1/3 innings, doling out a base on balls to 21.3% of his opponents. He was eventually diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome and underwent season-ending surgery. In 2024, Keller split the year between the White Sox and Red Sox. He spent the bulk of his season in Triple-A, where Amir Garrett Jersey he logged a combined 3.28 earned run average, 21.1% strikeout rate, 8.1% walk rate and 54.5% grounder rate between the two organizations. His big league work was much rougher. In 41 1/3 frames, Keller was tagged for a 5.44 ERA with a 16.7% strikeout rate. His walk and ground-ball rates were strong, however, respectively landing at 7.6% and 50%. Hughes, 29, looked on the cusp of breaking out with the 2022 Cubs. He pitched 16 2/3 shutout innings between Double-A and Triple-A before being called to the majors for 57 2/3 innings of 3.12 ERA ball as a rookie. He was too homer-prone, averaging 1.72 round-trippers per nine frames, but by seasons end he was closing down games for the Cubs, tallying eight saves. He fanned a strong 28.5% of opponents against a solid 8.8% walk rate. Knee troubles tanked Hughes 2023 season, as he pitched only 13 2/3 innings with an ERA north of 7.00. His minor league work was no better, as opponents tagged him for 11 runs in just 11 innings. He underwent a debridement procedure in his left knee that June and was on the injured list until September. The Cubs non-tendered him in November, and he signed a minor league deal in Arizona. Hughes made it back to the majors with the Diamondbacks but clearly wasnt right. He posted an 8.15 ERA in 17 2/3 big league frames, though his 2.03 earned run average in 48 Triple-A innings creates some more reason for optimism. Both Keller and Hughes will be in the mix as bullpen depth this spring, though Keller could also serve as depth for the starting staff. The Cubs have added and to the pen by way of the trade market this winter and also inked free agent southpaw to a big league deal. That trio will join , , , and as relief candidates. Each of Miller, Merryweather and Thompson is out of minor league options, so theyll need to make the Opening Day roster or else be traded or designated for a signment (ultimately pa sing through waivers if theyre to have any chance of being sent to Triple-A). , , and are among the other veteran arms wholl be in camp on non-roster deals. Luis Rodriguez Jersey