April 13, 2025
The Kansas City Royals placed left-hander
Sam Long (elbow) on the 15-day injured list on Sunday with left-elbow inflammation and recalled left-hander
Evan Sisk from Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move, according to MLB.com's Anne Rogers. Sisk will be making his major-league debut out of the bullpen whenever he's called upon. Long has been bad in his second season with the Royals early in 2025, giving up 12 runs (10 earned) on 12 hits (two homers) while walking five and striking out six in seven relief innings. His elbow injury could be the reason why he has struggled so much, though. The 29-year-old will be sidelined for a bit after giving up three earned runs in an inning of relief in Saturday's loss to the Cleveland Guardians. Sisk, 27, had tossed 4 2/3 scoreless innings with no walks and four K's in his six relief appearances for Triple-A before the promotion.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
March 12, 2025
Kansas City Royals left-hander
Sam Long (hand) returned to Cactus League action on Wednesday versus the Seattle Mariners and threw a scoreless inning while giving up one hit, walking none and striking out none. It was Long's third outing of spring training but his first since he was hit by a line drive on his left hand on March 3. The 29-year-old southpaw thankfully avoided a break in his hand and will be ready for the start of the 2025 regular season, although he's not guaranteed a spot in the Opening Day bullpen out of camp. The former 18th-round selection by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2016 out of California State University of Sacramento has four years of major-league experience and posted a career-low 3.16 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, one save, a career-high 44 strikeouts and 17 walks in 42 2/3 relief innings for KC in 2024.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
March 7, 2025
Kansas City Royals left-handed pitcher
Sam Long (hand) threw a bullpen session on Thursday. Long was hit by a line drive on Monday but avoided any serious injuries. While his hand was still sore, the southpaw was able to throw his first session, which was a positive sign. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as the team may opt to move him through a slower progression. If he faces any delays in his recovery, he could be in danger of missing Opening Day. Last season, the 29-year-old posted a solid 3.16 ERA with a 1.20 WHIP across 42 2/3 innings of relief. He tallied 44 strikeouts with one save. When healthy, he will compete for a middle relief role in the bullpen.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
July 7, 2023
Oakland Athletics left-hander
Sam Long will serve as the opener on Friday against the Boston Red Sox, with right-hander
Luis Medina working as the bulk reliever. It will be Long's first start of the season and only the 12th of his career in three MLB seasons. He's been decent for Oakland in 25 appearances out of the bullpen in 2023, posting a 3.66 ERA (4.20 FIP), two saves, a 1.22 WHIP, 11 walks and 23 strikeouts in 32 innings pitched. The 27-year-old southpaw has been especially tough on left-handers, but he won't be a streaming option in fantasy as the opener. Medina shouldn't be looked at as a fantasy option either, as the 24-year-old Dominican has a poor 6.37 ERA and 1.64 WHIP in 11 appearances (eight starts) for the A's in 2023.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Martin Gallegos
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