Mariot was released by the Royals on Wednesday, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 29-year-old hasn't pitched in the majors since 2016 and owns an unsightly 5.98 ERA across 49.2 career big-league frames. Mariot posted a 3.81 ERA across 28.1 innings with Triple-A Omaha before being cut loose.

Mariot signed a minor-league contract with the Royals on Friday, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mariot will be assigned to Double-A Northwest Arkansas. The righty was released by the Padres last week after allowing 18 runs over 13.1 innings of work this season. He has 49.2 innings of big-league experience during his career. He'll serve as organizational depth with Kansas City.

Mariot was reassigned to the Phillies' minor-league camp Monday, Jim Salisbury of CSN Philadelphia reports.

EDGE Analysis

After being dumped from the Phillies' 40-man roster in December, Mariot faced an uphill battle to winning an Opening Day roster spot. The 28-year-old will likely report to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, with whom he posted a 2.23 ERA and 0.90 WHIP in 32.1 innings of relief last season.

Mariot cleared waivers Tuesday and was outrighted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Despite logging a couple of saves for the Phillies this past season, there was no room for the 28-year-old on the 40-man roster after they signed Joaquin Benoit. However, Mariot will stick with Philadelphia and move forward as an organizational depth piece, although his major league experience could help him be one of the first callups if the major league bullpen falters.

Mariot was designated for assignment by the Phillies on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

With Joaquin Benoit coming aboard on a one-year deal, Mariot lost his spot on the 40-man roster, and he will now be subjected to waivers. The 28-year-old's 2016 numbers were marred by one six-run blowup on Aug. 27 (0.2 innings). He pitched fairly well down the stretch and even recorded a couple saves over the final few weeks. While Mariot doesn't have truly dominant stuff, he may appeal to other teams -- especially in this market for relief pitching.

Mariot picked up his second save of the season Saturday despite allowing a solo homer in his inning of work.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Pete Mackanin used Hector Neris in the eighth inning Saturday in a non-save situation, but Neris gave up a run creating a save opportunity for Mariot in the ninth. He was a bit shaky, allowing the home and two walks, but managed to get out of the inning.

Manager Pete Mackanin said Mariot, Hector Neris, Joely Rodriguez and Edubray Ramos are in the mix for save chances with Jeanmar Gomez temporarily out of the closer's role, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mackanin said he wants to give Gomez a break for the next couple of save chances. Mariot may be no better than third in the pecking order for save chances, but could be asked to close if Neris and Ramos are unavailable when a save chance comes up.

Mariot got his first save of the season by retiring the only batter he faced Tuesday against the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

Mariot was called upon to retire shortstop Tim Anderson after closer Jeanmar Gomez allowed Chicago to reduce Philadelphia's 7-3 lead to just one run. The 27-year-old right-hander could be in the mix for saves down the stretch if Gomez's poor performance costs him his job.

Mariot picked up his second hold of the season Friday with a scoreless inning in a 4-3 win over the Marlins. He did not allow a hit and struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Mariot has a 5.51 ERA, but most of that can be attributed to a blow-up last month when he allowed six runs in two-thirds of an inning. He's shown an ability to get strikeouts in the majors, but he has also walked too many batters thus far. He needs to make improvements there to be a serviceable bullpen arm.

Mariot picked up his first win of the season with a scoreless inning of relief in a 5-4 victory over the Dodgers on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Mariot needed just 10 pitches to retire the three batters he faced. He has made six appearances since his recall from Triple-A, and has a 2.23 ERA and an 8:1 K:BB in 6.2 innings.