The Texas Rangers selected Kela as a pitcher in the 12th round,with the 396th overall selection,of the 2012 MLB draft.[2][3] Kela signed with the Rangers following the draft.[4]
In 2013,Kela reached the Single-ASouth Atlantic League.[5] He started the 2014 season in High-A,and was promoted to the Frisco RoughRiders of the Double-ATexas League.[4] The Rangers invited Kela to spring training in 2015.[6] Kela made the Rangers' Opening Day roster.[7] He collected his first career win against the Oakland Athletics on May 2,2015. Kela finished his 2015 season with a 2.39 earned run average (ERA). He had elbow surgery and missed three months of the 2016 season. He pitched to a 5–1 record with a 6.09 ERA in 35 games in 2016.[8][9]
After he showed an unprofessional lack of effort in a minor league intrasquad game,the Rangers optioned Kela to the Round Rock Express of the Triple-APacific Coast League for the start of the 2017 season.[10][11] He made 39 appearances for the Rangers in 2017,missing time with a stiff right shoulder.[3] After the 2017 season,Kela underwent stem-cell therapy to treat his right shoulder.[12] Kela became the Rangers closer in 2018.[13]
In an April 7,2019 game against the Cincinnati Reds,Kela was ejected after his role in a bench clearing incident involving Chris Archer,Derek Dietrich,Yasiel Puig,Amir Garrett,David Bell,and Felipe Vázquez. On July 30,2019,Kela was involved in a second bench-clearing fracas against the Reds and was suspended for 2 games on August 1. Kela made 32 appearances for the Pirates in 2019,pitching to a 2.12 ERA with 33 strikeouts in 29+2⁄3 innings. In 2020, Kela only made 3 appearances for the team, giving up 1 run in 2.0 innings with 3 strikeouts.[15]
San Diego Padres
On February 18, 2021, Kela signed a one-year, $1.2 million contract with the San Diego Padres.[16] On May 19, Kela underwent Tommy John surgery, ending his 2021 season.[17] In 12 games for San Diego, Kela pitched to a 2–2 record and 5.06 ERA with 13 strikeouts. On May 23, Kela was placed on the 60-day injured list as he recovered from the surgery.[18]
Arizona Diamondbacks
On March 16, 2022, Kela signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.[19] He spent the year with the Triple-A Reno Aces, also making three scoreless appearances for the rookie-level Arizona Complex League Diamondbacks. In nine games for Reno, Kela logged an 0-1 record and 5.00 ERA with 11 strikeouts and one save over nine innings of work. He was released by the Diamondbacks organization on August 31.[20]
Los Angeles Dodgers
On September 1, 2022, Kela signed a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.[20] He pitched 6+2⁄3 innings over seven games for the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers, allowing six earned runs for a 6.75 ERA.[21] He elected free agency following the season on November 10.[22]
Tokyo Yakult Swallows
On December 21, 2022, Kela signed with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).[23] He made 15 appearances for their farm team but struggled to a 7.71 ERA with 16 strikeouts and 3 saves in 14 innings pitched. Kela did not appear for the Swallows in 2023, and was released by the club in October 2023.[24]
Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos
On February 6, 2024, Kela signed with the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos of the Mexican League.[25][26] In 42 relief outings for Dos Laredos, he compiled a 2.70 ERA with 40 strikeouts across 40 innings pitched. In late July, Kela was suspended for the remainder of the season, with the Mexican League fining him for his conduct during a game against Dorados de Chihuahua.[27][28]
On April 14, 2025, Kela re-signed with the Tecolotes.[29]
Chicago White Sox
On April 16, 2025, Kela signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox.[30] In 16 appearances split between the Double-A Birmingham Barons and Triple-A Charlotte Knights, he struggled to a 1–2 record and 7.11 ERA with 27 strikeouts and one save over 19 innings of work. Kela was released by the White Sox organization on June 15.[31]
Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos (second stint)
On June 20, 2025, Kela signed with the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos of the Mexican League.[32] In 14 games 13.1 innings of relief he went 1-1 with a 2.70 ERA with 18 strikeouts and one save.
Personal
When Kela was born, his mother was 16 years old, and his father was 15 years old.[33] Though Kela was born in Los Angeles, much of his father's family is from Hawaii. His grandparents are from Keaukaha on the Big Island, where Kela spent each summer, enjoying Puhi Bay and Hilo.[34]
↑"今季ヤクルト入団の助っ人右腕 キオーニ・ケラが自由契約に"[Right-hander Keone Kela, who joined Yakult this season, is a free agent]. news.yahoo.co.jp (in Japanese). Archived from the original on July 13, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
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