Dallas Keuchel is getting another chance to pitch in organized baseball. The Athletics signed the 38-year-old left-hander to a minor league contract on July 25, 2026, and he was set to report to Triple-A Las Vegas.
The move gives Keuchel a path back toward the majors after nearly a year away from a pro game. For a pitcher who once won the AL Cy Young Award with the Astros in 2015, the signing is less about a headline-grabbing addition and more about an experienced arm trying to rebuild momentum.
A long road back
Keuchel’s recent history has been uneven. Since Opening Day 2021, he has posted a 6.24 ERA over 277 innings with five different MLB teams, a stretch that reflects both the difficulty of sustaining a late-career rotation role and the reality of how quickly a veteran can move from frontline starter to depth option.
His last MLB game came with the Brewers on July 13, 2024. After that, he went through a series of stops that included Triple-A Omaha, a release, and a late-2024 stint in Japan. He also had minor league spells with the Royals and Mariners, but he did not get back to an MLB roster from those opportunities.
Keuchel’s last pro appearance came on August 16, 2025, when he threw 5 2/3 innings for the Royals’ Triple-A team. By the time the Athletics came calling, he had spent almost a year without appearing in a pro game.
What the Athletics are getting
For the Athletics, the deal is low-risk and straightforward. Keuchel brings experience, a long track record, and a chance to provide organizational depth at a time when clubs often look for veteran starters who can cover innings if needed.
Whether Dallas Keuchel can turn this minor league contract into another MLB look will depend on how he performs in Las Vegas. But the signing gives him something he has not had in a while: a clear next step.
