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Tom Koehler Retires

By Steve Adams | March 2, 2020 at 10:36am CDT

Right-hander Tom Koehler, in camp with the Pirates as a non-roster invitee to Spring Training, announced his retirement from baseball on Instagram this morning. The 33-year-old Koehler says he’s looking forward to “starting [his] next chapter in the game,” whenever and whatever that may hold. For now, it seems as though he’ll take some time with his family.

Tom Koehler

From 2013-16, Koehler was a solid and durable constant at the back of the Marlins’ rotation, averaging 30 starts per season while pitching to a 4.14 ERA with averages of 6.8 strikeouts, 3.7 walks and 1.0 home runs per nine innings pitched. He struggled early in the 2017 season and found himself traded to the Blue Jays, with whom he posted an intriguing 15-game relief stint (2.65 ERA, 18-to-6 K/BB ratio in 17 innings). That showing prompted the Dodgers to take a look at Koehler in the offseason with the hope that he could transform his career as a late-inning bullpen piece.

Instead, Koehler was beset by shoulder injuries in 2018. After spending more than half the season trying to rehab an anterior capsule strain and make his Dodgers debut, Koehler underwent surgery that ended his 2018 season. He never threw a pitch at the MLB level for the Dodgers. He signed with the Pirates both last offseason and earlier this winter but wasn’t able to get back onto the hill.

It’s a tough way to end a playing career, although as an 18th-round senior sign back in 2008, Koehler exceeded any and all expectations. The Stony Brook alum pitched in 161 Major League games, totaling 784 1/3 innings of 4.39 ERA ball along the way. Koehler’s 36-55 record is more an indictment on the sub-par Marlins rosters surrounding him for much of his career than on his own abilities on the mound. He was generally a serviceable option, twice leading the club in games started and once leading them in innings pitched. Koehler was never a household name but pitched into his arbitration years, helping him to secure more than $12MM in total salary. Best wishes to Koehler in whatever path he next pursues.

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Los Angeles Dodgers Miami Marlins Pittsburgh Pirates Toronto Blue Jays Transactions Retirement Tom Koehler

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Steven Brault Shut Down With Shoulder Issue
View Comments (29)
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29 Comments

  1. thebaseballfanatic

    5 years ago

    Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo…………..
    He was good for the Jays in 2017…

    Reply
    • stewartnbuck

      5 years ago

      sounds like a good candidate for the Angels rotation

      Reply
      • Mjm117

        5 years ago

        And for the Fish. Super competitor. Wish him well.

        Reply
    • Goku the Knowledgable One

      5 years ago

      Wasn’t aware he got an invite with the bucs.

      Reply
  2. ForestCobraAL

    5 years ago

    shoulder injuries

    Reply
  3. GONEcarlo

    5 years ago

    Been a fan of Tom ever since his days as “The Big Salad.” Best of luck in your post-playing career!

    Reply
  4. PapiElf

    5 years ago

    I have a vague memory of him being very good out of the Blue Jays bullpen in 2017 for some reason.

    Reply
    • BigFred

      5 years ago

      I have no memory of him being on the Dodgers. LOL

      Reply
      • DarkSide830

        5 years ago

        you mean “under contract with the Dodgers”

        Reply
      • socalblake

        5 years ago

        If I remember correctly, he was with the Dodgers for one day, but didn’t play.

        Reply
  5. DarkSide830

    5 years ago

    feel like he could have been a nice pen arm if he ever got healthy.

    Reply
  6. vincent k. mcmahon

    5 years ago

    Goodbye old friend, may the good retirement be with you.

    2
    Reply
  7. hozie007

    5 years ago

    Considering he was an 18th Rounder….good career, made a few bucks…better than lot’s of 1st rounders. Good luck

    2
    Reply
  8. mattblaze13

    5 years ago

    Always nice to see a fellow New Yorker make it to the big leagues. Not easy to get drafted out of the Northeast.

    Reply
  9. st1300b 2

    5 years ago

    Between Koehler and that Indians outfielder…. Bucs wasted millions on guys who never saw the field. Small market teams can’t afford those kinds of spending errors.

    Reply
  10. LH

    5 years ago

    Bryce Harper used to own this guy.

    Reply
    • stretch123

      5 years ago

      One of the few he owns…

      Reply
  11. Ruben_Tomorrow 2

    5 years ago

    Nobody threw the kitchen sink at batters better than Koehler.

    Reply
  12. mpmks

    5 years ago

    Don’t think non roster invitees cost all that much.

    1
    Reply
  13. dynamite drop in monty

    5 years ago

    Bold move, Koehler.

    Reply
  14. mlbnyyfan

    5 years ago

    I’m sure the Yankees will talk him out of retirement. That’s what Cashman does shops on the clearance racks. Yankees should of signed Wheeler and MadBum instead of one Cole.

    1
    Reply
  15. tyler saladino

    5 years ago

    the 2014 marlins had a sneaky good/sneaky consistent rotation with fernandez, alvarez, cosart, and koehler. they couldn’t really figure out the fifth spot, but TK was always a good back end piece. i wish fiers never drilled stanton in the face and we could’ve maybe seen fernandez pitch in the playoffs. good luck TK

    3
    Reply
    • stretch123

      5 years ago

      One of the more underrated rotations for sure. Alvarez was a great No 2 behind Fernandez. If Fish had a guy like Volquez in the rotation also, they would’ve definitely made the playoffs.

      1
      Reply
  16. Gwynning's Anal Lover

    5 years ago

    That stinks. He was the Pirates best performing pitcher.

    Reply
  17. 8

    5 years ago

    That is what playing for the Pirates is like, you just want it too end.

    Reply
  18. neurogame

    5 years ago

    Is it safe to say Koehler decided to flush his comeback?

    Reply
  19. George Ruth

    5 years ago

    Koehler was done last off season especially since he didn’t step on the mound at all for the Dodgers

    Reply
  20. Briffle2

    5 years ago

    Honestly, I did not realize he was a decent starter for that long. Solid career, enjoy retirement.

    Reply
  21. thekid9

    5 years ago

    All these comments for him?
    Winter time keeps too many people inside.
    Get out of that basement and go for a walk.

    Reply

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