Stratton (1-1) allowed two runs on a hit and four walks without striking out a batter over one inning, taking the loss Sunday versus the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

Stratton lost his control Sunday, throwing just 11 of 28 pitches for strikes in the poor appearance. He's kept runs off the board in four of his six outings while also earning a save, but he has an ugly 5:7 K:BB that belies trouble ahead. The right-hander is in the high-leverage mix as one of three Royals to log a save this season, but it's fair to say he shouldn't be manager Matt Quatraro's first option in the ninth inning most of the time.

Stratton registered the save Saturday versus the White Sox, striking out one in a perfect inning.

EDGE Analysis

One night after James McArthur rescued Will Smith to net a save, Royals manager Matt Quatraro turned to Stratton in the ninth up three with the top of the lineup due for the White Sox. He disposed of the side on just 12 pitches to record his first save of the season and 13th of his career. Nick Anderson got the hold in this one with a scoreless eighth inning, although he had to pitch around a double and a walk. The Kansas City bullpen situation could continue to be a headache for fantasy managers to figure out. Stratton has thrown his hat in the ring, but he's one of maybe five options Quatraro could potentially look to when the next save opportunity arises.

Stratton has allowed four runs on three hits and two walks while striking out two over two Cactus League innings.

EDGE Analysis

Stratton signed with the Royals in December. The 33-year-old figures to have a decent chance to make the Opening Day roster, at least as a multi-inning relief option. He posted a 3.92 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 81:25 K:BB, one save and seven holds over 82.2 innings between the Cardinals and the Rangers last season. Stratton has occasionally been a setup man, but he tends to allow too many baserunners to be truly effective in a late-inning role.

Stratton signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Royals on Tuesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The deal also includes a $4.5 million player option for 2025, per Rogers. Stratton operated as a multi-inning reliever for the Cardinals and Rangers in 2023 and posted a combined 3.92 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 81:25 K:BB across 82.2 regular-season innings. He'll likely reprise that sort of bullpen workhorse role with Kansas City.

The Rangers acquired Stratton and left-hander Jordan Montgomery from the Cardinals on Sunday in exchange for left-hander John King, infielder Thomas Saggese and right-hander Tekoah Roby, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stratton is the secondary piece in the deal for the Rangers, who will fortify their rotation with the addition of Montgomery. Meanwhile, Stratton should work as a setup man in Texas, likely settling in behind closer Will Smith and Aroldis Chapman in the bullpen hierarchy. Playing under a $2.8 million salary in his final year of arbitration, Stratton has produced a 4.36 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 59:17 K:BB in 53.2 innings with St. Louis. He'll likely set himself up for a nice pay raise in free agency this winter if he can finish the season on a high note with his new club.

Stratton picked up the save in Wednesday's 6-4 victory over the Marlins, allowing a run on two hits while logging a strikeout over an inning.

EDGE Analysis

The Cardinals turned to Stratton to protect a three-run lead in the ninth inning, with Jordan Hicks and Giovanny Gallegos each having pitched in consecutive games. Stratton allowed a run on a Luis Arraez double before coaxing a flyout from Jorge Soler to earn his first save this season. The 32-year-old Stratton has a 4.17 ERA with a 1.11 WHIP and 53:13 K:BB across 49.2 innings this year. While he's still behind Hicks and Gallegos in the St. Louis bullpen hierarchy, Stratton could be a name to watch if the Cardinals elect to move some relief pitching at the trade deadline.

Stratton (1-0) allowed a hit and a walk while striking out two batters over 1.1 scoreless innings to earn the win Tuesday over the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

Stratton got the last out of the seventh inning and stayed in for the eighth in a 4-4 game. The Cardinals pulled ahead in the ninth, and Giovanny Gallegos earned the save to give Stratton his first win in 14 appearances this season. Stratton has done relatively well in a low-leverage role with a 2.95 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 21:3 K:BB over 21.1 innings. He's logged the most innings of any Cardinals reliever this season, but his ability to cover multiple frames likely prevents him from being a candidate for save chances.

Stratton has allowed two runs on seven hits and three walks over four innings across four Grapefruit League appearances.

EDGE Analysis

He's also struck out three batters. Stratton has 11 career saves, but he's likely ticketed for a middle-relief assignment in his first full season with the Cardinals. The right-hander has had issues with permitting too many baserunners throughout his career -- he's never posted a BB/9 lower than 3.4 or a WHIP lower than 1.30. He could also be a long-shot candidate to be a spot starter, though he's only made six starts over the last four seasons and the Cardinals have a surplus of potential starters.

Stratton signed a one-year, $2.8 million contract with the Cardinals on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Stratton was traded from the Pirates to the Cardinals last season and will remain in St. Louis for at least one more year after reaching a new deal ahead of Friday's non-tender deadline. Over 60 appearances (one start) last year, he posted a 4.26 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in 63.1 innings.

Stratton was left off the Cardinals' wild-card roster Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Stratton will begin the postseason as a member of the Cardinals' taxi squad after failing to be selected for their wild-card roster. The right-hander is a surprising omission from the postseason roster after posting a 1.50 ERA and 1.11 WHIP with 16 strikeouts over 18 innings in his final 16 appearances of the regular season. He'll have another shot to join the active unit if St. Louis advances in the postseason.