Knebel was born in Denton,Texas[1] to parents Jeffrey and Melissa Knebel and grew up in Bastrop County,Texas. He attended Bastrop High School,where he was a three-year letter winner and a former district MVP in baseball. He was also a member of the school's basketball team. He is a graduate of Georgetown High School,where he moved for his senior season.[2]
Knebel was again the Longhorn closer in 2012,finishing the year with nine saves and a 2.08 earned run average.[3] Though unable to match the accolades of his freshman season,he again earned first-team All-Big 12 honors.[3]
Knebel was suspended from the Longhorns twice in 2013,once for violating team rules and once for providing a urine sample to help a teammate beat a drug test.[6]
In May 2017,Knebel became the permanent closer for the Brewers,taking the job from a struggling NeftalíFeliz.[citation needed] 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.[citation needed]
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]
Los Angeles Dodgers
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]
Philadelphia Phillies
On December 1, 2021, Knebel signed a one-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, Knebel was placed on the 60–day injured list with a torn shoulder capsule, and missed the remainder of the season.[24] He became a free agent following the season.
Chicago White Sox
On February 13, 2024, Knebel signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox.[25] In 12 appearances split between the rookie–level Arizona Complex League White Sox, High–A Winston-Salem Dash, and Triple–A Charlotte Knights, he accumulated a 5.91 ERA with 12 strikeouts across 10+2⁄3 innings pitched. Knebel was released by the White Sox organization on August 1.[26]
Los Angeles Angels
On August 13, 2024, Knebel signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels.[27] In 6 appearances for the Triple–A Salt Lake Bees, he struggled to a 25.07 ERA with 6 strikeouts over 4+2⁄3 innings pitched. Knebel asked for his release from the Angels organization on September 8.[28]
Personal life
Knebel married longtime girlfriend Danielle Matula on December 5, 2015, in Victoria, Texas.[29] The couple have three daughters (Ledger, Halstyn, and Kollyns) and reside in Austin, Texas.[30]
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