Butler was released by the Royals earlier this week.

EDGE Analysis

A former top prospect in the Rockies system, Butler logged a 6.01 ERA and 1.64 WHIP over 79.1 innings at Triple-A this year.

Butler will join the Royals organization after Kansas City purchased his contract Wednesday from the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.

EDGE Analysis

Since making 79 appearances (39 starts) in the majors with the Rockies, Cubs and Rangers from 2014 through 2018, Butler has spent one season apiece in the Korea Baseball Organization (with the NC Dinos) and in the independent American Association (with the Chicago Dogs). The 30-year-old right-hander will now look to continue his career in affiliated ball with the Royals, who will presumably assign him to Triple-A Omaha or Double-A Northwest Arkansas.

Butler agreed to a contract Monday with the NC Dinos of the Korea Baseball Organization on a one-year, $1 million contract that includes a $200,000 signing bonus, Jee-ho Yoo of the Yonhap News Agency reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 28-year-old recently lost his spot on the Rangers' 40-man roster and was subsequently outrighted to the minor leagues. Rather than accepting a minor-league assignment and remaining a member of the Texas organization, Butler will bolt overseas for a more lucrative payday than he would have earned stateside. Depending on how well he performs in Korea, Butler could generate renewed interest from MLB teams when he becomes a free agent next winter.

Butler was sent outright to Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Butler was removed from the 40-man roster to make room for minor-league prospects prior to the Rule 5 draft. The 27-year-old made 30 relief appearances between the Cubs and Rangers a season ago, posting a 5.62 ERA and 1.57 WHIP with 29 strikeouts over 49.2 frames.

Butler allowed five runs (four earned) on eight hits over 4.1 innings of relief in Tuesday's loss to the Dodgers. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Butler has been used primarily as a multi-inning reliever since being acquired by the Rangers and was stretched out enough to throw 68 pitches Tuesday. That's more than starter Ariel Jurado, who was given the hook after 2.2 innings and 61 pitches. Jurado is not assured of a next start, so manager Jeff Banister will explore all options, including giving Butler a start. The 27-year-old right-hander has made 39 starts during his career for the Cubs and Rockies, but nothing in his track record or his performance with the Rangers inspires confidence. He has a 5.65 ERA over 192.2 innings as a starter and is sitting on a 7.11 ERA in 10 outings since coming to Texas in the Cole Hamels trade.

Butler will get multi-inning duty as the Rangers evaluate him as a possible starter, Gerry Fraley of the Dallas Morning News reports. Manager Jeff Banister wants to get a better feel for where Butler may fit in the team's plans.

EDGE Analysis

That experiment began Thursday, when Butler finished up the final 3.2 innings of Texas' 17-8 win over the Orioles. The 27-year-old, who was acquired from the Cubs as part of the Cole Hamels trade, had been used primarily as a starter with the Cubs and Rockies before pitching exclusively out of the bullpen in 2018. Banister intends to have Butler piggy-back with a current rotation member in an effort to stretch him out, with an eye toward having him compete as a starter next spring.

Butler was traded to Texas on Thursday alongside Rollie Lacy and a player to be named later in exchange for Cole Hamels.

EDGE Analysis

Butler made eight appearances for the Cubs this season after dealing with a groin injury for a couple months, logging a 4.08 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 17.2 innings of relief. Look for him to be deployed as a multi-inning reliever in a similar capacity to what he was in Chicago, while also having the ability to start games if necessary.

Butler (groin) allowed one earned run over two innings in Tuesday's loss to the Diamondbacks, which marked his first appearance at the MLB level since April 19.

EDGE Analysis

Butler's season barely got started before he was shut down with a right groin strain, so it was good to see him back on the hill Tuesday. If the 27-year-old righty can stay healthy, he figures to serve in a long-relief role the rest of the year for the Cubs.

Butler (groin) was activated from the 60-day disabled list Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Butler has been out since late April with a strained right groin. He had a 4.30 ERA in 14.2 innings prior to the injury and is expected to fill a long-relief role in Chicago. Luke Farrell was optioned to Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move.

Butler (groin) made his second rehab appearance at Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, giving up four runs on five hits and two walks over 1.1 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Butler has been on the disabled list since late April with a right groin strain. The issue looks to be behind him now that he's pitching in games again, but Butler's results thus far at Iowa probably won't accelerate a return to the big club. He's given up seven runs across 2.1 innings and could stick in the minors for the full 30-day rehab window before being activated.