Corey Knebel

Knebel was drafted by the Detroit Tigers as the 39th pick in the 2013 Major League Baseball Draft. This supplemental pick was the first traded draft slot in Major League history.[6] The pick was included in a 2012 trade between the Tigers and the Miami Marlins, which included Aníbal Sánchez, Omar Infante, and Jacob Turner.[7] Knebel played for the Class-A West Michigan Whitecaps, the Double-A Erie SeaWolves and the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens before being called up by the Tigers. He made his major league debut on May 24, 2014, against the Texas Rangers.[8]

Knebel pitching for the Detroit Tigers in 2014 spring training

On July 23, 2014, the Tigers traded Knebel and Jake Thompson to the Texas Rangers, in exchange for reliever Joakim Soria. After the trade, Knebel was assigned to play for the Rangers' Triple-A team, the Round Rock Express.[9] Knebel sprained the ulnar collateral ligament of the elbow in his throwing arm in August, ending his season.[10]

On January 19, 2015, the Rangers traded Knebel, Luis Sardiñas, and Marcos Diplan to the Milwaukee Brewers for Yovani Gallardo.[11][12]

In May 2017, Knebel became the permanent closer for the Brewers, taking the job from a struggling Neftalí Feliz. On June 22, Knebel set the MLB record for most consecutive appearances with at least one strikeout by a relief pitcher at 38. The record was previously set in 2014 by Aroldis Chapman with the Cincinnati Reds. On July 19, Knebel's streak ended at 45 games after failing to record a strikeout in a blown save against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Knebel injured his left hamstring while pitching on April 5, 2018, against the Chicago Cubs and was placed on the disabled list.[13] He was activated on May 9.[14] However, Knebel struggled over his next 3 months with the Brewers, and he was demoted to the Colorado Springs Sky Sox on August 24 after compiling a 2–3 record with a 5.08 ERA in 41 appearances.[15] He was brought back up on September 2,[16] and closed out the regular season in dominant fashion with 16 consecutive scoreless appearances, including 2 wins, 2 saves, and 6 holds.[17] In the 2018 postseason he posted a 0.90 ERA in 10 innings, giving up his lone run in a save of NLCS Game 1. [18]

Shortly after 2019 opening day, Knebel was dealing with soreness in his right elbow. It was eventually revealed that his right elbow had a torn UCL, which needed Tommy John surgery, putting Knebel away for the rest of 2019.[19] On December 2, Knebel was designated for assignment by the Brewers.

In the shortened 2020 season, Knebel returned and recorded a 6.08 ERA in 13+1⁄3 innings over 15 games.[20]

On December 2, 2020, the Brewers traded Knebel to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for Leo Crawford.[21]

On May 2, 2021, Knebel was placed on the 60-day injured list with a right lat strain, an injury that kept him sidelined until August 10.[22] As a result of the injury he only appeared in 27 games for the Dodgers in 2021, including four appearances as an opener, and finished with a 4–0 record, 2.45 ERA, three saves and 30 strikeouts.[20] In the postseason, he appeared in seven games (including two as an opener), pitching 52⁄3 innings and allowing two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out 11.[20]

On December 1, 2021, Knebel officially signed a 1-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.[23] In 2022, Knebel made 46 appearances for the Phillies, registering a 3–5 record and 3.43 ERA with 41 strikeouts and 12 saves in 44+2⁄3 innings pitched. On August 21, 2022, he was placed on the 60–day injured list with a torn shoulder capsule, and missed the remainder of the season.[24]