Jake

Brentz

The 30-year-old southpaw had inked a minor league deal with the Rays back in December. It’s likely that he was informed he was not going to make the team’s Opening Day bullpen so this gives him a chance to explore other opportunities elsewhere. Brentz posted a 6.23 ERA, 2.31 WHIP and a 3/7 K/BB ratio over 4 1/3 innings in five Grapefruit League appearances this spring.

Brentz, 30, had a fine season as a rookie reliever for the Royals in 2021, finishing with a 3.66 ERA and 76 strikeouts in 64 innings, but he blew out his elbow early the following year and has struggled mightily to make it back. Last season, he walked 52 and gave up 38 earned runs in 30 innings in the Royals’ minor league system. Obviously, he has some work to do before he’ll be a candidate to join Tampa Bay’s pen.

Brentz has a 12.71 ERA and has walked 30 in 17 innings in the minors, so there was little doubt that he’d clear waivers. A promising reliever for the Royals a few years back, he’s had a really tough time making his way back from Tommy John. This is his first outright, so he can’t declare free agency.

Brentz had a 3.66 ERA in 72 appearances as a rookie for the Royals in 2021, but he blew out his elbow the following season and has had an extremely difficult time since returning at the end of last season. He’s amassed a 12.71 ERA and a 15/30 K/BB in 17 innings between Double- and Triple-A this year.

Brentz returned from Tommy John surgery at the end of last year, only to go down with a hamstring injury this spring that cost him six weeks. He had been struggling mightily on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Omaha, giving up nine runs and walking 17 in six innings, so he’ll head to Double-A for now. The 29-year-old looked like a promising lefty reliever in 2021, but at this point, he might be the next player bumped from the 40-man if the Royals need to add someone.

Brentz was placed on the injured list earlier this week and is expected to be on the shelf until early May with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain.

Brentz hasn’t pitched in the majors since April, 2022 due to Tommy John surgery. The 29-year-old righty will have to wait at least a few weeks, barring any setbacks, before making his season debut for Kansas City. He’s likely to pitch in middle relief upon returning.

Brentz was on the hill attempting to close out the Brewers, when he grabbed at his hamstring and ultimately walked off with the team’s training staff. Expect the Royals to provide an update on the right-hander’s status on Monday.

Brentz hasn’t pitched for the Royals since undergoing Tommy John surgery back in 2022. The 29-year-old righty is fully healthy this spring and looks like he’ll be on Kansas City’s season-opening roster.

Brentz will miss the remainder of the 2023 season, as there’s no need to rush him back at this stage. The 28-year-old southpaw had been shelved since last July when he underwent Tommy John surgery. He made three appearances on a minor league rehab assignment — registering a 3.38 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 5/3 K/BB ratio over 2 2/3 innings.