The Royals have reinstated reliever Greg Holland from the injured list, the team announced. To create roster space, right-hander Brad Brach has been designated for assignment.
It ended up being just a one-day stay for Holland on the COVID-related injury list, so the veteran righty will make a quick return to his role as Kansas City’s closer. It hasn’t been a good start to the season for Holland, who has issued seven walks (against only six strikeouts) and allowed three homers over seven innings of work, resulting in a 6.43 ERA. While it’s still early in the season, Holland’s job could certainly be in jeopardy if his struggles continue. The Royals have gotten excellent results from such bullpen arms as Kyle Zimmer, Scott Barlow, Jake Brentz, and Josh Staumont thus far, and it’s possible one of those less-experienced hurlers could supplant Holland in the closer’s position, or the Royals could adopt a more situational approach to the ninth inning.
Brach’s minor league contract was selected yesterday in a response to Holland’s IL placement, and Brach didn’t get any action during last night’s 6-2 Royals victory over the Tigers. The 35-year-old now heads into DFA limbo after that cup of coffee in the 2021 season, though it seems a decent bet that Brach will clear waivers and remain in the K.C. organization. A very solid reliever for the Padres, Orioles, and Braves from 2012-18, Brach has been much less productive over the last two seasons, posting a 5.54 ERA over 66 2/3 innings since the start of the 2019 campaign.
Wow, less than 24hrs.
Was he on the Covid IL? If not, how?
Vaccine reaction day off.
That’s strange
No, Strange-Gordon signed with Milwaukee…
Sorry, I had to… seriously though, as someone else said, he was on the COVID list and must have been a false positive or close contact; he doesn’t have to wait the 10 days.
or a reaction to the vaccine
Didn’t get just get placed on it yesterday?
In answer to my question above, it appears he was in the Covid IL. It just wasn’t announced. I’m guessing a false-positive.
It could also just be a close contact… meaning someone he was close to tested positive and he had to get a test done, and tested negative.
or a reaction to the vaccine like some others have had.
He rubbed some dirt on it.
Vaccine reaction shot day off.
Speaking of injured pitchers. Any word on Corey Knebel. Hurt bimself last night and was taken out of the game. Haven’t heard any updates on his triceps injury.
Well, Brach to the drawing board for Brad. Holland with the shortest IL stint in league history owing to COVID rules.
Did you guys all forget that Josh Staumont was on the IL for 1 day last week? So it’s happened twice now.
designated, not returned?
Staumont’s not giving back the closer spot…like for years.
If you saw him pitch you’d designate him too……