Kerkering was returned to Clearwater at the beginning of the 2023 season and was promoted to the High-AJersey Shore BlueClaws after pitching 10+1⁄3 scoreless innings with 18 strikeouts over nine relief appearances to begin the season.[5] Kerkering was later promoted to the Double-AReading Fightin Phils, and then to the Triple-ALehigh Valley IronPigs.[6] In 49 combined appearances with Clearwater, Jersey Shore, Reading, and Lehigh Valley, Kerkering accumulated a 4–1 record and 1.51 ERA with 79 strikeouts and 14 saves in 53+2⁄3 innings pitched. Kerkering was named the winner of the organization's Paul Owens Award for pitcher for the 2023 season.[7]
On September 22, 2023, Kerkering was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[8] He made his MLB debut two days later pitching a 1-2-3 8th inning, including two strikeouts, against the New York Mets.[9] On September 27, he picked up his first Major League win, after pitching a scoreless inning in a 7–6 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.[citation needed] Kerkering would be named to the team's Wild Card Series roster, and in Game 2 facing the Miami Marlins he pitched another 1-2-3 inning, again occurring in the 8th inning.[10]
Personal life
Kerkering shares his given first name, Richard, with his father and paternal grandfather, but they all go by their middle names, all of which are different.[11]