Stratton (forearm) is expected to be healthy for the beginning of spring training, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stratton missed the final couple weeks of the regular season and the playoffs with a right flexor strain, but he's expected to recover with an offseason of rest. The veteran reliever holds a $4.5 million player option for 2025, which he seems likely to exercise after posting a lackluster 5.55 ERA and 44:33 K:BB over 58.1 innings in 2024.

The Royals placed Stratton on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a right forearm flexor strain.

EDGE Analysis

Stratton surrendered two earned runs over an inning out of the bullpen Friday, but he appears to have come away from his latest outing with an injury. He won't be eligible to return from the IL until the final game of the season Sept. 29, and it's possible the Royals elect to keep him on the shelf until the start of the postseason, assuming they hang onto their wild-card spot. Until then, Angel Zerpa will come up from the minors to fill the opening in Kansas City's bullpen.

Stratton (4-3) earned the win Sunday over the Tigers, striking out one in a perfect inning.

EDGE Analysis

Stratton worked the eighth inning with the Royals down 2-0, and they took the lead with a three-run home run by MJ Melendez in the ninth. This was Stratton's second win in three appearances. He's allowed six runs (five earned) over 10.1 innings since the start of July, but the right-hander is still getting work in some key moments as the Royals' bullpen remains a weak spot. Stratton has a 4.40 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 39:27 K:BB through 45 innings while adding four saves and five holds this year.

Stratton (3-3) allowed one run on two hits and struck out one over 1.2 innings to earn the win over the White Sox on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Stratton got out of Angel Zerpa's jam in the sixth inning but went on to give up an Andrew Vaughn solo home run in the seventh. The Royals then rallied from behind with a six-run eighth, giving Stratton his first win since April 23. The right-hander is at a 4.60 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 38:27 K:BB with four saves and five holds over 43 innings this season. He's played an important role in the bullpen, but Stratton's mediocre numbers make him a shaky fantasy option.

Stratton earned a save against the Athletics on Thursday by retiring both batters he faced.

EDGE Analysis

Regular closer James McArthur was deployed in a high-leverage situation in the seventh frame and ended up with the victory despite allowing two hits and two walks over one inning of work. That left the door to a save chance open for Stratton, who entered Thursday with three saves on the season but none since May 20. Stratton got the job done against Oakland in a tough spot, as he entered with two runners on base and just one out. The right-hander could see a few additional ninth-inning opportunities along the way, though McArthur remains the favorite for saves for the Royals.

Stratton (2-3) took the loss and a blown save Thursday versus the Twins, allowing four runs on three hits and two walks while striking out two over two-thirds of an inning.

EDGE Analysis

Stratton worked the sixth inning, relieving starter Daniel Lynch while the Royals were ahead 4-3. That lead didn't hold, as Stratton gave up an RBI single to Max Kepler and a three-run triple to Carlos Correa before John Schreiber finished off the frame. While Stratton has kept runs off the board in seven of his 10 appearances in May, he's allowed seven runs with an 11:6 K:BB over 11 innings for the month. He's at a poor 6.00 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 22:16 K:BB with three saves, three holds and two blown saves over 24 innings this season, serving as an occasional high-leverage option.

Stratton struck out one batter over 1.1 perfect innings and earned a save over the Tigers on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Stratton entered the eighth innings with two outs and bases jammed. He escaped the threat and retired the side in order to preserve the win. The dangerous circumstances allowed him to earn the save despite Kansas City winning 8-3, which would explain why James McArthur wasn't used. Stratton owns a 4.95 ERA with three saves and three holds through 19 appearances.

Stratton allowed two walks in a scoreless inning and earned a save over the Brewers on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Stratton forced a double play after the first walk, so he didn't face a very threatening push from Milwaukee. It was his second save of the year and first since April 6. He blew his last opportunity when he was slammed for five runs against Detroit on April 27. Stratton is sporting a 5.40 ERA with a shaky 12:12 K:BB through 15 frames.

Stratton (2-2) allowed five runs on four hits and a walk while striking out one over one inning to take the loss versus the Tigers on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Stratton had his worst outing of the season, as the Tigers rallied against him in the seventh inning. He's allowed multiple runs in three of his 12 appearances, but he's maintained scoreless efforts in the other nine. Saturday's poor showing skewed his ratios to a 6.23 ERA and 1.54 WHIP, while his 11:10 K:BB over 13 innings is far from an encouraging sign. Stratton has a save, two holds and a blown save, and it's unlikely one bad appearance will cost him late-inning looks in the long run.

Stratton (2-1) did not allow a baserunner and struck out one batter over 1.2 innings to earn the win Tuesday versus the Blue Jays.

EDGE Analysis

Stratton allowed an inherited runner to score on a sacrifice fly after relieving starter Michael Wacha in the fifth inning. The Royals rallied ahead in the bottom of the fifth and Stratton delivered a perfect sixth en route to the win. He hasn't been charged with a run over his last five innings and now has a 3.27 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 8:9 K:BB over 11 innings on the year. Stratton's history as a starter makes him an option for multi-inning assignments. He can also work in the late innings, though James McArthur (five) has the advantage for save chances so far, while Stratton and Will Smith (one each) are the only other Royals to pick up a save this season.