Mengden allowed an unearned run on one hit and struck out one in one inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 12-11 extra-innings win over the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

The Royals' first four relievers Tuesday combined for just two innings, and Mengden was the last arm left in the 'pen. He successfully protected a two-run lead despite allowing a sacrifice fly to Shohei Ohtani in the 11th inning that brought the Angels within a run. This was just the second appearance of the season for Mengden, who has been used sparingly since joining the big club June 13 when Joel Payamps (illness) landed on the COVID-19 injured list. With Zack Greinke (elbow) soon to return from the 15-day injured list, Mengden and starter Kris Bubic are on the hot seat to keep their spots on the 26-man active roster.

Mengden's contract was selected by the Royals on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Mengden joined the Royals on a minor-league deal in early March, and he posted a 5.47 ERA and 1.49 WHIP in 52.2 innings over 12 appearances (11 starts) at Triple-A Omaha to begin the season. The right-hander pitched in the KBO last year but will join the Royals' bullpen after Joel Payamps (undisclosed) was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Monday.

Mengden signed a minor-league contract with the Royals on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Mengden spent last season with the KBO's Kia Tigers, finishing with a 3.60 ERA in 21 starts. Prior to that, the 29-year-old righty spent parts of five seasons with Oakland, recording a passable but unexciting 4.64 ERA in 302.2 innings. He's been decent enough that he definitely has a chance to provide rotation depth for the Royals this season, but his career 17.3 percent strikeout rate makes him little more than an innings eater without much fantasy upside.

Mengden signed a one-year, $725,000 contract with the Korea Baseball Organization's Kia Tigers on Dec. 29, the Associated Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cut loose from the Athletics' 40-man roster in late September, Mengden likely would have had to settle for a minor-league deal this winter after he posted a 3.65 ERA and 1.70 WHIP across 12.1 innings with Oakland in 2020. Rather than dealing with the uncertainty of the 2021 minor-league season, Mengden instead felt heading overseas with a guaranteed contract in hand was the preferable option. He'll likely look to turn in a strong showing in South Korea this season with the hope of garnering renewed interest from MLB teams in 2022.

Mengden cleared waivers Tuesday and was outrighted to Triple-A Las Vegas.

EDGE Analysis

Mengden lost his spot on the 40-man roster Sunday after being activated from the COVID-19 injured list, but he'll remain in the organization going forward. It's unclear whether the right-hander will be included in the Athletics' player pool heading into the postseason. Mengden posted a 3.65 ERA and 1.70 WHIP across 12.1 innings during four appearances in 2020.

Mengden was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list Sunday and subsequently designated for assignment by the A's.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander landed on the COVID-19 IL in early September and was recently cleared to return to the alternate training site, but he won't retain his spot on the 40-man roster. Mengden appeared in four games this season and had a 3.65 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 10:7 K:BB across 12.1 innings.

Mengden (illness) joined the Athletics at the alternate training site and will begin throwing Saturday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mengden tested positive for COVID-19 at the beginning of September, but he was reportedly asymptomatic. It's unclear when he'll be able to return to game action, but a better timetable for his return could be known once he resumes throwing.

Mengden was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Thursday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

He is asymptomatic, but will nonetheless have to quarantine until he tests negative, so he should be considered out indefinitely. The Athletics say that Mengden did not violate safety protocols, so there will be no discipline from the team. Mike Minor was added to the active roster in a corresponding move.

Mengden came on in relief of Mike Fiers in the fourth inning of a loss to the Angels on Tuesday and allowed an earned run on five hits and two walks over 3.1 innings. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander threw 58 pitches overall while eating up some important innings in the middle of the contest in what was his first appearance since making a spot start July 28 against the Rockies. With Jesus Luzardo back in the rotation and Chris Bassitt thriving as a starter as well, Mengden, whose arm is built up for multiple innings, could serve as a valuable resource for manager Bob Melvin in instances such as Tuesday's when starters don't log a normal workload, which makes the 14 days between outings somewhat confounding.

Mengden moved into a bullpen role July 31 after the Athletics added Jesus Luzardo to the rotation, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mengden hasn't been used since his last start July 28, while Oakland's top pitching prospect strengthened his hold on a rotation spot by tossing five shutout innings Tuesday against the Rangers. The Athletics presumably still view Mengden as the next man up in the rotation, but he'll be largely limited to low-leverage mop-up work while he works in relief.