Erceg did not allow a baserunner in 1.1 innings to earn his fifth save of the season Wednesday against the Twins. He did not record a strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

Erceg was called upon with two runners on and two out in the eighth inning. The 29-year-old promptly induced a groundout to end the threat before pitching a flawless ninth inning to record his second save as a member of the Royals. Erceg has been dominant since coming over from the Athletics at the trade deadline, allowing just three hits over 7.2 scoreless innings with a flawless 8:0 K:BB. Erceg has handled the last two save opportunities and appears to be the closer moving forward with Hunter Harvey (back) on the shelf and James McArthur owning a 5.01 ERA on the season.

Erceg earned a save against the Cardinals on Saturday, allowing two hits and striking out two batters over 1.1 scoreless innings.

EDGE Analysis

Erceg entered in a tight situation with a three-run lead and two outs in the top of the eighth frame, as the Cardinals had two runners on base and Paul Goldschmidt -- who homered earlier in the contest -- at the plate. The righty reliever fanned Goldschmidt to end the frame, then remained in the contest after the Royals put up two runs in the bottom of the inning. Erceg allowed back-to-back singles to begin the ninth but retired the next three batters to secure his first save since joining Kansas City at the trade deadline. He's been lights out since becoming a Royal, recording 6.1 scoreless frames during which he's posted an 8:0 K:BB. James McArthur has been struggling and Hunter Harvey (back) landed on the injured list Saturday, so Erceg appears to be the team's reliever most likely to see save opportunities, at least for the time being.

The Royals acquired Erceg from the Athletics on Tuesday in exchange for Mason Barnett, Will Klein and Jared Dickey, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Erceg hasn't even reached arbitration eligibility yet, but the Athletics have decided to take advantage of the prices being paid in the relief market. The 29-year-old former position player has posted a 3.68 ERA and 41:13 K:BB across 36.2 innings out of Oakland's bullpen in 2024, collecting three saves along the way. Erceg could get a shot to close in Kansas City, especially due to James McArthur's recent struggles.

Erceg allowed a hit and struck out one over a scoreless inning to earn the save in Friday's 5-4 win over the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Erceg was deployed in the eighth inning Thursday to protect a one-run lead, but he was called on to close things out Friday in a similar situation. With Mason Miller sidelined by a fractured finger on his non-throwing hand, Erceg is expected to be the favorite for saves for the Athletics in the short term, though Tyler Ferguson received the first chance in Miller's absence. Erceg has been a fine setup man this year with a 3.68 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 41:13 K:BB to go with three saves, 12 holds and three blown saves over 36.2 innings. He's kept runs off the board in 12 of his last 13 appearances, the exception being a four-run meltdown last Sunday against the Angels.

Erceg (2-3) took the loss against the Angels on Sunday, allowing four earned runs on two hits, a walk, a hit batsman and a wild pitch without retiring a batter.

EDGE Analysis

Erceg was handed a 5-2 lead when he entered in the eighth inning, but the reliever allowed all four batters he faced to reach base before Scott Alexander subsequently allowed all the runners he inherited from Erceg to score. The normally reliable right-hander saw a nine-appearance scoreless streak (8.2 innings) snapped by the disastrous appearance, while his ERA shot up from 2.94 to 4.01.

Erceg was credited with his 11th hold in a win over the Red Sox on Wednesday, firing 1.1 scoreless innings during which he allowed a hit and a walk while recording a strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

Erceg filled his usual setup role with customary proficiency, generating his eighth straight scoreless appearance. The right-hander coaxed his ERA back under 3.00 (2.97) for the first time since May 25 with Wednesday's outing, and his season tally of 11 holds equals the total he mustered during his rookie 2023 campaign, albeit over 17 additional appearances.

The Athletics activated Erceg (forearm) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Erceg spent the minimum amount of time on the IL and was able to skip a rehab assignment prior to being activated. He's been terrific in relief for Oakland this season, collecting a 2.86 ERA and 27:8 K:BB across 22 innings as the primary setup man ahead of closer Mason Miller.

Erceg (forearm) threw a successful bullpen session Sunday and is in line to be activated during the Athletics' road trip that begins Monday, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Erceg came out of his 20-pitch session feeling healthy, his second bullpen in a span of four days. With the right-hander eligible to come off the injured list Wednesday, it's possible he's activated that same day, if not soon thereafter.

Erceg (forearm) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session Thursday and could complete another one Sunday, the Associated Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander has had a productive last few days on the recovery front, as he began playing catch at the beginning of the week and now has a bullpen session under his belt. Erceg is expected to be evaluated after Sunday's activity, when a determination is likely to be made on whether he'll require a brief rehab assignment before activation.

Erceg (forearm) has begun playing catch and could throw a bullpen session as early as Sunday, the Associated Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

The talented setup man just went on the IL on Friday with a retroactive designation to May 26, and Erceg may possibly be tracking toward an on-time return if this latest news is any indication. Assuming the bullpen session unfolds on schedule and without setbacks, Erceg could potentially be activated Monday, the first day he'd be eligible.