Former Cy Young Winner Dallas Keuchel to Make Season Debut

The Minnesota Twins had 48 hours to make a decision after former Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel opted out of his minor league contract with them earlier this week. And seeing as how he dominated in the minors, the team has decided to select his contract, and Keuchel is set to make his return to the big leagues on Sunday.

International League Pitcher of the Month ✅

Contract selected by @twins ✅@kidkeuchy had himself a July 💯 pic.twitter.com/47bdilnfpC

— St. Paul Saints (@StPaulSaints) August 4, 2023

Everyone who was begging for Keuchel to get added will now get to see how an 86-MPH fastball plays in the big leagues. https://t.co/v17zg9c5qk

— Nick Nelson (@NickNelsonMN) August 3, 2023

After he posted a 1.12 ERA in six starts at Triple-A — which is EIGHT RUNS BETTER than his last major league season — Keuchel has won himself another shot in The Show. 

With his Cy Young days (2015) well behind him, the 35-year-old has struggled mightily in the majors over the past two years, with an outrageous 9.20 ERA and 2.06 WHIP in 14 starts for three teams last year, and a 5.28 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in a full season of 30 starts for the Chicago White Sox in 2021.   

He signed a minor league deal with the Twins on June 22nd although there was no clear spot in the major league rotation at the time. But now, with Joe Ryan going on the IL, Keuchel's chance has arrived. 

He'll have a familiar face behind him in the infield when he takes the mound, as Keuchel teamed up with Carlos Correa on the Houston Astros for four years, including in their controversial 2017 World Series season. 

He'll face the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday. 

Photo: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports