Maurer (knee) has not pitched at any level since June 21.

EDGE Analysis

The 29-year-old right-hander started up a rehab assignment with short-season West Virginia on June 18. He made two appearances but has not pitched since according to his MiLB.com game log, suggesting there was a setback in his recovery from knee surgery.

Maurer, who has been sidelined since late April after undergoing knee surgery, made a rehab appearance for short-season West Virginia on Tuesday. He struck out a batter as part of a perfect nine-pitch frame.

EDGE Analysis

Maurer was assigned to Triple-A Indianapolis at the conclusion of spring training after failing to crack the Pirates' Opening Day roster. The historically brittle reliever only made six appearances for Indianapolis before succumbing to another setback on the health front, but he looks to be on the mend now. Expect him to make another appearance or two with the Pirates' lower-level affiliates before reporting back to Indianapolis.

Maurer was reassigned to minor-league camp Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Maurer finished spring with a 3.18 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 3:3 K:BBB across 5.1 innings. The right-hander owns an unsightly 6.95 ERA in 90.2 innings over the past two seasons, so he doesn't figure to make an impact at the big-league level in 2019.

Maurer (knee) is listed among the Pirates' pitchers scheduled to take the hill in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies, John Perrotto of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The appearance will mark Maurer's first since Feb. 26 after a knee injury sidelined him for more than two wees. Since Maurer has typically only been deployed as a one-inning reliever for much of his career, the missed time shouldn't impact his availability for Opening Day. It could prove more costly to his chances of breaking camp with the big club, however.

Maurer has been dealing with a sore right knee and hasn't pitched since Feb. 26, John Perrotto of DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

The hard-throwing righty has appeared in two spring games, allowing four runs (one earned) in 1.2 innings. Maurer is looking to rebuild his MLB career after posting earned-run averages of 6.52 and 7.76 the last two seasons.

Maurer agreed to a minor-league contract with the PIrates on Wednesday, Jon Heyman of FancredSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Maurer is coming off a difficult season in Kansas City, where he struggled to an ugly 7.76 ERA in 31.1 innings. The 28-year-old didn't fare much better with Triple-A Omaha, throwing 23 innings with an ERA of 5.48. He's unlikely to be anything other than organizational depth in Pittsburgh.

Maurer elected to become a free agent Friday after being outrighted off the Royals' 40-man roster.

EDGE Analysis

Maurer appeared in 37 games for the Royals this past season, posting a disastrous 7.76 ERA and 2.14 ERA with a 31:25 K:BB across 31.1 innings. The 28-year-old right-hander will look to latch on with another organization this winter, though he'll have to pitch much better in spring training to warrant a major-league roster spot.

Maurer blew a save chance Saturday, allowing one run on two hits and a walk in an inning against the Astros.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Ned Yost turned to Maurer to preserve a one-run lead in the ninth and Maurer couldn't get the job done. This was after lefty Tim Hill successfully converted a save chance Friday -- the first save chance following Kelvin Herrera's trade to Washington. It looks like this will be a committee and Maurer has past ninth-inning experience, but he's struggled mightily at both Triple-A Omaha and in the majors this year and is probably not worth pursuing in mixed leagues unless you're desperate.

Maurer was recalled from Triple-A Omaha on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Maurer will head back to the big leagues after being designated for assignment in early May. But since then, the 27-year-old has been finding a groove on the rubber, posting 10 straight scoreless outings with a 10:4 K:BB across 11 innings of relief. Expect him to work out of low-leverage situations for the time being. In a corresponding move, the Royals optioned Jason Adam to the minors.

Maurer was outrighted off the Royals' 40-man roster Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Maurer will stick with the Storm Chasers after passing through waivers untouched. The 27-year-old struggled across the board in 2018, allowing six runs across 4.1 innings with the Royals while coughing up 12 runs (11 earned) through six innings with Triple-A Omaha. He'll remain with the organization as a depth piece.