October 15, 2024
Kansas City Royals relief pitchers
Hunter Harvey (back),
James McArthur (elbow) and
Chris Stratton (forearm) are all expected to be healthy entering spring training next February after ending 2024 on the injured list. Stratton holds a $4.5 million player option for next season. Harvey began the year with the Nationals and had a rough 6.35 ERA and 2.12 WHIP with one save in only 5 2/3 innings for the Royals before being shut down in late September. McArthur began the year as KC's primary closer but eventually lost the job and was diagnosed with a Grade 1 UCL sprain in his right elbow in mid-September. He had a career-high 18 saves but also an ERA just under 5.00. Stratton, who has a right flexor strain, also underwhelmed in 2024 with a 5.55 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and four saves in 58 1/3 innings in his first year with the Royals.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
September 14, 2024
Kansas City Royals relief pitcher
Chris Stratton was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right forearm flexor strain on Saturday, and left-handed pitcher
Angel Zerpa was recalled from Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move. Stratton pitched the ninth inning in Friday night's 8-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates and gave up two runs and three hits in the outing. With just over two weeks left in the regular season, Stratton won't pitch again until October if his forearm cooperates. The 34-year-old started the season solid but has been a disaster in the second half, posting a 7.08 ERA since the All-Star break. Fantasy managers have likely already moved on given his second-half struggles, but if they haven't, then now is the time to do so. Those needing bullpen help to finish out the season may want to consider
Lucas Erceg, who leads the Royals with six saves over the last 30 days. His 5.40 ERA in that same timespan is worrisome, but the saves help balance that out from a fantasy perspective.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: Kansas City Royals
June 21, 2024
Kansas City Royals relief pitcher
Chris Stratton came in for the last two outs of a 3-2 win over the Oakland Athletics, picking up his fourth save in the process. Stratton came in with runners at first and second with one out in the ninth and retired both A's hitters to escape the jam. Usual closer
James McArthur was used to escape a jam in the seventh, so he was unavailable. Based on McArthur's recent usage, it looks like the Royals could be moving to a committee approach in their bullpen. McArthur would likely still be the most likely to get saves if that were to happen, but they would certainly be spread out more evenly and would make for a frustrating situation for fantasy managers.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
May 7, 2024
Kansas City Royals relief pitcher
Chris Stratton picked up his second save of the season in Monday's 3-2 win over the Brewers. Stratton came in to pitch the top of the ninth inning up by one. He allowed a leadoff walk, induced a ground-ball double-play, allowed another walk, and ended the game with a groundout. Closer
James McArthur pitched two innings in Sunday's game, so he was likely unavailable. Stratton has struggled this season with a 5.40 ERA and a 7.20 BB/9 rate in 15 innings of work. His fantasy value will remain limited if he cannot improve those metrics.
--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
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