The Rays signed Brentz to a minor-league contract Dec. 7.
Brentz hasn't been the same since coming back from Tommy John surgery, most recently posting an 11.40 ERA while walking 52 over 30 innings between Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha in the Royals organization. The lefty showed promise in his rookie season back in 2021 and the Rays will try to coax that back out of him.
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Royals' Jake Brentz: Receives outright assignment
Rotowire
Brentz cleared waivers and was assigned to Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Friday.
Brentz was dropped from the Royals' 40-man roster Monday, and after going unclaimed he'll stick in the organization. The 29-year-old has surrendered 29 earned runs over 17.2 combined innings across Double-A and Triple-A this season.
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Royals' Jake Brentz: Departs 40-man roster
Rotowire
The Royals designated Brentz for assignment Monday.
Brentz has struggled since coming back from Tommy John surgery and also a lat issue, posting a 12.71 ERA and 15:30 K:BB over 17 innings in the minors this season. He'll likely clear waivers and could end up sticking around in the Kansas City organization.
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Royals' Jake Brentz: Activated and optioned
Rotowire
The Royals activated Brentz (hamstring) from the 15-day injured list Monday and optioned him to Double-A Northwest Arkansas, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
The hamstring injury that landed Brentz on the IL before the season is no longer an issue, but what is a problem is the 17 walks he issued over six rehab innings. Brentz will stay in the minors to work on ironing out his command problems.
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Royals' Jake Brentz: Diagnosed with Grade 2 strain
Rotowire
Brentz was diagnosed with a Grade 2 strain in his left hamstring Tuesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Brentz missed all of last season due to a lat injury he suffered while working his way back from Tommy John surgery, and he's now in line to be sidelined for the next six weeks. The 29-year-old southpaw was having a rough spring before getting hurt, surrendering nine earned runs in just 4.1 innings.
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Royals' Jake Brentz: Exits game with trainer
Rotowire
Brentz exited Sunday's spring training game against the Brewers with a trainer, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
It appears that Brentz may have injured his hamstring, and he exited after grimacing in pain. The pitcher had been having a rough spring with six earned runs allowed, eight strikeouts and 11 walks in 4.1 innings entering the outing.
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Royals' Jake Brentz: Available for start of spring games
Rotowire
Brentz is listed as available for the Royals' Cactus League opener versus the Rangers, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Brentz looks ready to get back into contention for a spot in the Royals' bullpen after missing most of the last two seasons. He's recovered from Tommy John surgery in 2022, and it doesn't look like he'll be hampered by the lat strain that ended his comeback attempt in 2023.
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Royals' Jake Brentz: Throws live BP session
Rotowire
Brentz (lat) threw a live BP session Saturday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Brentz missed most of 2022 due to Tommy John surgery, and a lat injury during his rehab cost him the rest of 2023 after just three minor-league appearances. It's a long layoff, and the southpaw will likely have to settle for a low-leverage role if he makes the Royals' bullpen out of spring training. The team has focused on making improvements to the bullpen, both by promoting prospects and acquiring players to shore up a weakness the team has dealt with for multiple seasons. Brentz's lone full MLB season in 2021 saw him post a 3.66 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 76:37 K:BB with two saves and 15 holds, but high-leverage assignments will be difficult to land in 2024.
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Royals' Jake Brentz: Pulled off rehab assignment
Rotowire
Brentz (elbow) was pulled off his minor-league rehab assignment Friday.
Brentz is not immediately joining the Royals' bullpen, so he may have suffered a setback in his recovery from Tommy John surgery. The 28-year-old left-hander underwent the reconstructive elbow procedure last July.
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Royals' Jake Brentz: Lands on 60-day IL
Rotowire
Brentz (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list Thursday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
This is simply a procedural move, as Brentz will likely miss all of the 2023 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. His placement on the 60-day IL opened up a 40-man roster spot for Jackie Bradley.
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Jake Brentz: Non-tendered after DFA
Rotowire
The Royals declined to tender Brentz (elbow) a major-league contract for 2023.
This decision comes a few days after the lefty was designated for assignment, and seemingly ends the business relationship between the two sides. After leading the Royals in appearances in 2021 with 72, Brentz struggled last season before undergoing Tommy John surgery in July.
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Royals' Jake Brentz: Designated for assignment
Rotowire
Brentz (elbow) was designated for assignment by the Royals on Tuesday.
Brentz made just eight relief appearances last season before hitting the injured list with elbow issues. He began a rehab assignment in mid-June but paused it soon after and eventually underwent Tommy John surgery in late July. The timing of the procedure means he'll miss the majority or perhaps the entirety of the 2023 season. He'll manage his recovery while no longer a member of the 40-man roster, as the Royals elected to clear space to protect another player from the Rule 5 draft.
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Royals' Jake Brentz: Pauses rehab assignment
Rotowire
Brentz (elbow) paused his rehab assignment to return to Kansas City and be reevaluated Friday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Brentz has been out since late April with a flexor strain. He'd recently begun a rehab assignment but felt renewed tightness in the same area, so his game action will be put on hold for now. A new timeline for his return should be available after the reevaluation.
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Royals' Jake Brentz: Transferred to 60-day IL
Rotowire
Brentz (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Sunday.
This is not surprising, as Brentz is on the shelf with a left flexor strain. He should be considered out indefinitely.
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Royals' Jake Brentz: Lands on 10-day injured list
Rotowire
Brentz was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left flexor strain Saturday.
Brentz was ineffective against the Yankees on Friday, allowing five runs (four earned) on four hits while failing to record an out. It's possible his injury contributed to his struggles, and he'll be sidelined for at least 10 days. It's not yet clear how much time the southpaw is expected to miss, but right-hander Matt Peacock was recalled from Triple-A Omaha to provide an additional arm in the bullpen.
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Royals' Jake Brentz: Fails to record out
Rotowire
Brentz allowed five runs (four earned) on four hits without recording an out in Friday's 12-2 loss to the Yankees.
Any chance of the Royals making a comeback disappeared after Brentz made a mess of the eighth inning. The southpaw has allowed multiple runs in four of his eight appearances this season, including 11 runs (10 earned) in his last three outings. In the small sample this season, he's sporting an ugly 23.63 ERA and 3.94 WHIP. There's little reason to have confidence in the reliever right now.
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Royals' Jake Brentz: Makes mess of third loss
Rotowire
Brentz (0-3) took the loss Saturday versus the Mariners. He allowed five runs on a hit and four walks with one strikeout in one-third of an inning.
Brentz entered the game in the eighth inning, but he threw just 11 of his 29 pitches for strikes. Dylan Coleman relieved him and allowed two inherited runners to score on a Ty France home run. It's been an inconsistent start to the season for Brentz, who has surrendered nine runs with an 8:9 K:BB across 4.1 innings. He's picked up two holds in addition to his three losses, but the southpaw may be pitching himself out of the high-leverage conversation if he continues to struggle with command.
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Royals' Jake Brentz: Dealt second loss
Rotowire
Brentz (0-2) took the loss Thursday versus the Tigers, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk with two strikeouts in two-thirds of an inning.
Brentz has made a mess of his last two outings, and he's taken the loss in both. He allowed RBI singles to Victor Reyes and Austin Meadows in the seventh inning of this contest, and the Royals' offense wasn't able to get him off the hook. Brentz has now allowed four runs, four hits and four walks with four strikeouts through 2.1 innings. The 27-year-old was effective in a high-leverage role last year, but he could move to the middle innings if he doesn't get back on track soon.
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Royals' Jake Brentz: Takes loss versus Guardians
Rotowire
Brentz (0-1) allowed two runs on a hit and a walk with one strikeout in two-thirds of an inning, taking the loss Monday versus the Guardians.
Brentz was responsible for both runs the Guardians scored in the seventh inning to break a 4-4 tie, though Josh Staumont allowed an inherited runner to score. Brentz has issued three walks in 1.2 innings to open the season after a dominant spring, so it's a bit discouraging to see him having some trouble with command. The southpaw logged 15 holds and a pair of saves in 72 outings last season, so he should continue to see high-leverage work unless he gets stuck in a significant slump.
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Royals' Jake Brentz: Dominant in spring training
Rotowire
Brentz has allowed just one hit and one walk with three strikeouts over four innings in four Cactus League games.
Brentz is looking to build off of a solid rookie campaign -- he went 5-2 with two saves, 15 holds, a 3.66 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 76:37 K:BB across 64 innings last season. The southpaw's strong start to the spring should keep him in the mix for high-leverage situations, along with the likes of Scott Barlow, Josh Staumont and Amir Garrett. Brentz isn't likely to see a lot of save chances early on, but he could help in fantasy formats that count holds.
