MLB Player News

Kansas City recalled Kowar from Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.

Kowar returns to the Royals as a fresh bullpen arm ahead of Thursday's series finale against the Mariners. The 26-year-old right-hander has allowed 12 runs -- eight earned -- in 11.2 innings of work this season at the MLB level.

McArthur was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.

McArthur served as an opener for the Royals in Wednesday's loss to the Mariners, allowing three runs over his inning of work. He's being sent out in favor of a fresh bullpen arm.

Santos (2-1) took the loss and blew a save against the Cubs on Wednesday, allowing three runs on two hits and one walk without retiring a batter.

Santos recorded a 1.2-inning save Tuesday and looked dominant with three strikeouts without allowing a baserunner. His outing Wednesday was entirely different, as he faced three batters and gave up a double, a walk and a walk-off, three-run homer to blow the save. Despite the rough appearance, Santos probably won't lose the ninth-inning job since he had been solid prior to the misstep, collecting three saves and posting an 8:1 K:BB over 6.2 innings while giving up just one run in five prior appearances since he moved into the closer role July 28.

Estevez earned a save in Wednesday's 2-0 win over the Rangers, allowing two hits and striking out two batters over one scoreless inning.

Estevez came on in the ninth frame to protect a two-run lead and quickly found himself in trouble when Mitch Garver and J.P. Martinez began the inning with back-to-back singles. However, Estevez bounced back to retire the next three batters and close the contest without further incident. After a three-outing stretch during which he allowed nine runs over 2.1 frames and blew two save chances, Estevez has bounced back to earn a save in each of his subsequent three opportunities, posting a 4:0 K:BB and tossing three scoreless innings over that stretch.

Coleman (0-1) allowed an unearned run on a hit and a walk while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning, taking the loss Wednesday versus the Mariners.

Coleman loaded the bases with an error, a hit and a walk, and then yielded a sacrifice fly. The Mariners held the lead the rest of the way, sticking Coleman with his first loss in 21 major-league appearances this year. He's avoided taking more defeats simply because the Royals are often already behind when he pitches. For the year, he's managed an awful 8.31 ERA, 2.02 WHIP and 20:18 K:BB through 17.1 innings, though he's also managed to earn four holds.

Brash allowed one run on a hit and struck out one in one inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 6-5 win over the Royals.

Brash has followed up a nine-inning scoreless streak with three runs allowed over his last 1.1 frames. He took a blown save and loss Monday against the Royals, but he was able to maintain the lead this time around with Andres Munoz down following a 42-pitch outing Tuesday. Brash is up to three saves, 17 holds, five blown saves, a 3.46 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 85:22 K:BB through 52 innings this season.

Kittredge (elbow) will rejoin the Rays during their upcoming series against the Angels, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Kittredge has been out all season while recovering from a Tommy John procedure he underwent in June 2022. He's played in 12 rehab games with Triple-A Durham, putting up a 5.40 ERA and 1.57 WHIP with nine strikeouts and three walks through 13.1 frames. The 33-year-old righty has collected 13 saves and seven holds since 2021, though he will likely have to be eased back into high-leverage situations as he gets reacclimated to the majors.

Wittgren is expected to elect free agency after being sent to Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Kansas City announced Wednesday afternoon that Wittgren had been optioned to Omaha, but it would appear that the 32-year-old right-hander didn't actually have any minor-league options left. He had pitched to a 4.97 ERA and 18:11 K:BB through 29 innings of work this season out of the Royals' bullpen.

Kansas City optioned Wittgren to Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday.

John McMillon is joining the Royals' bullpen in a corresponding move. Wittgren, 32, carries a 4.97 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 18:11 K:BB in 29 innings this season at the major-league level.

Saucedo recorded his first save in an extra-inning win over the Royals on Tuesday, firing a perfect 10th inning during which he didn't record a strikeout or issue a walk.

With Justin Topa and Andres Munoz having worked the previous 2.2 innings and Matt Brash having pitched the previous two days, Saucedo was called on for a rare save opportunity. The 30-year-old southpaw was masterful while rising to the task, disposing of MJ Melendez, Freddy Fermin and Nelson Velazquez in extremely efficient fashion. Saucedo has now posted scoreless appearances in nine of his last 10 trips to the mound, a 10.1-inning stretch during which he's pitched to an 0.87 ERA and 0.87 WHIP while recording a win and two holds in addition to Tuesday's save.