Koehler announced his retirement on his personal Twitter feed Monday.
Koehler had last appeared in the majors in 2017 due to a right shoulder injury that bothered him over the past two seasons. The right-hander had been working in the Pirates' camp during spring training, but he'll opt to hang up his cleats rather than continuing to compete for a spot on a major-league pitching staff. Koehler finishes his career with a 4.39 ERA, 604 strikeouts and 36 wins over six seasons in the majors with the Marlins and Blue Jays.
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Pirates' Tom Koehler: Bothered by shoulder again
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Koehler was placed on Double-A Altoona's 7-day injured list Aug. 18 due to a right shoulder strain, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Koehler will be shut down for the season after experiencing yet another setback with his surgically repaired throwing shoulder. After undergoing the procedure last July, Koehler didn't pitch in affiliated ball for a full year before he was cleared to begin a rehab assignment in the rookie-level Gulf Coast League earlier this month. He ultimately made just four appearances before the shoulder acted up again, resulting in a second consecutive lost season for the righty reliever. Given that he'll enter his age-34 season in 2020 with significant health concerns, the odds are against Koehler resurfacing in the big leagues again.
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Pirates' Tom Koehler: Assigned to Double-A
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Koehler (shoulder) was activated from the 7-day injured list and assigned to Double-A Altoona on Tuesday, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.
After a lengthy recovery from shoulder surgery, Koehler returned to action last week at the rookie-ball level, making three abbreviated appearances. Koehler came out of the rehab stint no worse for the wear, so he'll now gain clearance for regular relief duty at Altoona. If Koehler finds some early success, it wouldn't be surprising if he were eventually moved up to Triple-A Indianapolis, which could set the stage for him to join the Pirates as a September callup. The 33-year-old owns a 4.39 ERA and 6.9 K/9 across 161 career appearances (133 starts) over parts of six seasons in the big leagues.
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Pirates' Tom Koehler: Makes 2019 debut in affiliated ball
Rotowire
Koehler (shoulder) made a rehab appearance Tuesday for the Pirates' rookie-level Gulf Coast League affiliate, retiring two of the batters he faced and yielding two runs on two hits.
Koehler didn't look particularly good in the outing, but he was likely just elated to be back on the mound after having not logged any competitive action since spring training in 2018. Considering that he posted a 6.69 ERA and 1.62 WHIP in 72.2 innings during his last MLB season in 2017 and is now on the comeback trail following a lengthy shutdown due to shoulder surgery, the 33-year-old will face an uphill battle to make it back to the majors.
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Pirates' Tom Koehler: Lands MiLB deal with Pittsburgh
Rotowire
Koehler (shoulder) signed a minor-league contract with the Pirates on Wednesday, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports. Per Robert Murray of The Athletic, the deal includes a club option for 2020.
The right-hander missed all of 2018 due to a shoulder injury initially incurred during spring training. However, the Pirates were willing to take a flier on him despite the health woes and his middling 4.39 ERA in his career. Koehler is expected to spend much of the 2019 campaign rehabbing from the shoulder surgery he underwent last July, but he could offer some rotation depth later in the season if he proves to be effective upon his return.
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Dodgers' Tom Koehler: Undergoes season-ending shoulder surgery
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Koehler underwent season-ending shoulder surgery Tuesday, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Koehler won't end up throwing a single pitch for the Dodgers this season. He was on just a one-year deal, so he will enter free agency this offseason and presumably have to settle for a minor-league contract.
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Dodgers' Tom Koehler: Not progressing as hoped
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Koehler (shoulder) has been throwing bullpen sessions and is scheduled to face hitters in the upcoming days, but hasn't been progressing in his recovery as quickly as the Dodgers hoped, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports. "The curveball has been good, the fastball velocity has been good," manager Dave Roberts said of Koehler. "As I understand it, when he throws a 'pen, to kind of recover and be able to bounce back and do the same thing again [is a problem]."
Fortunately for Koehler, it doesn't sound like a physical issue is stunting his recovery from the sprained shoulder capsule, but the right-hander is struggling with his stamina between throwing sessions. That may simply be a byproduct of Koehler's extended stay on the shelf, as he was first diagnosed with the injury early in Cactus League play back in March and was idle for nearly two months before beginning a throwing program. Once Koehler demonstrates enough progress to begin a minor-league rehab assignment, he'll likely require several appearances at multiple affiliates before the Dodgers bring him back from the 60-day disabled list. Don't expect him to pitch for the big club until August at the earliest.
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Dodgers' Tom Koehler: Return pushed back
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Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that Koehler (shoulder) suffered a setback prior to a planned bullpen session a few days earlier and is unlikely to return from the 60-day disabled list until August, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.
Koehler had been aiming for a return around the All-Star break, but it sounds like the setback will push his timetable back at least two weeks. Signed to a one-year, $2 million pact in December, Koehler has yet to make his Dodgers debut after suffering a sprained shoulder capsule during spring training.
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Dodgers' Tom Koehler: Targeting pre-ASG return
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Koehler (shoulder) could rejoin the Dodgers before the All-Star break, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.
He threw a bullpen session Monday and said he's progressing well. Once healthy, Koehler will take on a long-relief role for the Dodgers.
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Dodgers' Tom Koehler: Throwing from 75 feet
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Koehler (shoulder) has progressed to throwing off flat ground from 75 feet, the Associated Press reports.
Koehler kicked off a throwing program at extended spring training last week and is expected to remain in Arizona until he's ready to begin a minor-league rehab assignment. The right-hander was transferred to the 60-day disabled list shortly after Opening Day and won't be eligible for activation until late May at the soonest.
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Dodgers' Tom Koehler: Starts throwing program Friday
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Koehler (shoulder) will begin a throwing program Friday at extended spring training, Pedro Moura of The Athletic Los Angeles reports.
Koehler suffered a capsule strain in his shoulder early on during spring training. He reportedly has been participating in daily activities pain-free for about a month now. He'll finally take the next step in his rehab program, though he's likely still a ways away from a full return to action given how long it's been since he's thrown a ball. Koehler is eligible to return from the disabled list May 26.
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Dodgers' Tom Koehler: Shifted to 60-day DL
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Koehler (shoulder) was transferred to the 60-day disabled list Monday.
Koehler was shifted to the 60-day DL in order to open up a 40-man roster spot for Jesus Liranzo, who was acquired from the Orioles in a trade Monday. The 31-year-old Koehler remains without a timetable for his return as he continues to work his way back from a sprained shoulder capsule, but now he won't be eligible to return until May 26 at the earliest.
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Dodgers' Tom Koehler: Sent to DL
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Koehler (shoulder) was placed on the 10-day disabled list Thursday, Eric Stephen of TrueBlueLA.com reports.
Koehler continues to work his way back from a sprained shoulder capsule that he suffered at the beginning of March. It's still unclear where he's at in his rehab, so his timetable remains unclear at the moment. Koehler is expected to serve as a long reliever once healthy, while he could also be an option as a spot starter.
Dodgers' Tom Koehler: No timetable for throwing program
Rotowire
Koehler (shoulder) is pain-free for nearly all daily activities, but it's unclear when he will be able to begin throwing, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.
He is going to open the season on the disabled list while he recovers from a sprained shoulder capsule. Koehler has been freed from the restraint device that kept his right arm at his side, and the next progression will likely be some sort of soft-toss program. While Koehler will be an option as a spot starter, he is more likely to spend the bulk of the season serving as a long reliever.
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Dodgers' Tom Koehler: Will start season on disabled list
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Koehler (shoulder) will begin the season on the disabled list, The Los Angeles Times reports.
Koehler was disagnosed with a mild anterior capsule strain Friday. He is not planning to have surgery, but his recovery timeline is unclear. The team is optimistic that he'll pitch this year, but the fact that that's being presented as an optimistic scenario is certainly not a good sign. Josh Fields, Wilmer Font, Yimi Garcia, Zach Neal, Adam Liberatore and Edward Paredes are now competing for three spots at the back of the Dodgers' bullpen.
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Dodgers' Tom Koehler: Suffers mild capsule strain
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Koehler's MRI on Friday revealed a mild anterior capsule strain, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Koehler suffered the injury during Friday's game against the White Sox. The recovery timeline is unclear, with Koehler saying it "could be weeks, could be months." He was expected to be fighting for a role in the Dodgers' bullpen, but the given timeline casts his readiness for Opening Day in serious doubt.
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Dodgers' Tom Koehler: Sent for MRI on shoulder
Rotowire
Koehler is being sent for an MRI on his right shoulder after exiting Friday's spring game early, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.
In terms of pitcher injuries, an MRI on the throwing shoulder is about as ominous as it gets. Koehler was on track to serve as a long reliever and spot starter for the Dodgers this season. His status will be updated when the results of the MRI are made public. Koehler notched a 3.00 ERA in 12 innings as a reliever last season and a 7.42 ERA in 60.2 innings as a starter. He spent time on the DL last season with right shoulder bursitis.
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Dodgers' Tom Koehler: Leaves with injury
Rotowire
Koehler has been removed from Friday's game against the White Sox with an apparent injury, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.
The nature of the injury isn't yet clear. Koehler was signed by the Dodgers in December after a largely disappointing 2017 season spent with the Marlins and Blue Jays. After struggling to a 7.42 ERA in 13 starts last season, Koehler transitioned to the bullpen with Toronto and is expected to remain there in Los Angeles. Future reports should clarify whether Koehler's status for Opening Day is in doubt.
