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Texas Rangers demote Keone Kela to Triple-A, citing clubhouse culture

By Drake Diacon

Oct 9, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Texas Rangers relief pitcher Keone Kela throws a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays in the 7th inning during game three of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Texas Rangers relief pitcher Keone Kela throws a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays in the 7th inning during game three of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Rangers demoted Keone Kela to Triple-A in a surprising move ahead of Opening Day.

In surprising move Friday, the Texas Rangers optioned right-handed reliever Keone Kela to Triple-A Round Rock. The trigger was pulled by General Manager Jon Daniels, says the move is not based on the reliever’s performance.

“The family is our organization,” Daniels said. “Sometimes, when things happen in families, you need a little time to address them. That’s what happened here. This does not change how we feel about him short, medium and long-term.”

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports the move “stemmed from the way the reliever conducted himself during a recent ‘B’ game, according to major-league sources.” The Rangers’ veteran leadership was apparently rubbed the wrong way by Kela’s conduct “triggering a series of heated discussions.” Rosenthal equates the move to “a trip to the penalty box.”

Manager Jeff Bannister says the move is not permanent. What is unclear is how long Kela will be in Triple-A and what he must do to substantiate a promotion to rejoin the Major League club.

The Rangers bullpen struggled overall in 2016 and the 23-year-old had his hand in those struggles. Kela put together a 5-1 record with a 6.09 ERA in 34 IP.  In addition to his poor numbers, Kela missed three months due to elbow surgery on his throwing arm.

Kela looked to duplicate his early Major League success in 2015 (7-5, 2.39 ERA, 60.1 IP) this spring. He appeared to do so by posting five unblemished innings with 7/1 K/BB ratio, .176 opposing BA and notching a save.

The Rangers, however, have clearly sent him a message his demeanor will ultimately supersede his performance on the mound.

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In 2016 the Rangers won an AL-leading 95 games and this with the lowest ranked bullpen ERA (25th, 4.40) of any playoff team. Outside of closer Sam Dyson, Bannister will count on setup men Matt Bush and Jeremy Jeffress to shift the bullpen from a weakness to strength in 2017.

Kela will likely still play a role of 2017 Rangers bullpen, but it won’t be on Opening Day.

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