The Royals released Anderson on Thursday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Anderson cleared waivers after being removed from the Royals' 40-man roster, and he declined an outright assignment to Triple-A Omaha. The veteran reliever holds a 4.04 ERA and 29:15 K:BB over 35.2 innings this season at the major-league level.

The Royals designated Anderson for assignment Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Anderson has been moved off the 26-man and 40-man rosters to free up space for Hunter Harvey, who the Royals acquired via trade Saturday from the Nationals. Anderson logged a 4.15 ERA across 34.2 innings with Kansas City this season, racking up three wins, a save and two holds. The 33-year-old could attract interest on waivers.

Anderson (3-1) struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the win over the Mariners on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

It didn't look like any Royals pitcher would be in line for the win after the Mariners put up seven runs in the first inning, but Anderson was the beneficiary of a late rally that ended in a walk-off. He's had mixed results since the start of May, allowing seven runs (six earned) with a 12:6 K:BB over his last 12.1 innings. For the year, Anderson has a 3.86 ERA despite a 1.63 WHIP and 17:12 K:BB across 23.1 innings while adding a save and two holds. The right-hander's numbers are far from elite, but he's done a moderate job at preventing runs for a bullpen that is 21st in the majors with a 4.21 ERA this year.

Anderson walked one and struck out one in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 7-4 extra-innings win over the Rays.

EDGE Analysis

Regular closer James McArthur worked the ninth and 10th innings, leaving the save chance to Anderson once the Royals pulled ahead in the 11th. Anderson got the job done with his third straight scoreless outing, though he has allowed four runs with a 4:6 K:BB over his last 5.1 innings. The right-hander has an acceptable 3.93 ERA for the year, but his 1.75 WHIP and 12:12 K:BB through 18.1 innings aren't great. Anderson has added a 2-1 record and two holds while seeing little high-leverage work, a situation that's unlikely to improve for him now that Carlos Hernandez is back from a shoulder injury.

Anderson (2-1) pitched a perfect inning and struck out two batters to earn the win Monday over the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

Anderson kept the deficit to two runs in the top of the seventh inning, and the Royals rallied ahead in their half of the frame. The right-hander allowed multiple runs in two of his first five outings of the season, but he's since posted nine consecutive scoreless innings. He's at a 2.77 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 8:6 K:BB through 13 innings overall, though that hasn't translated to many high-leverage looks for Anderson, who has added just one hold and no saves.

Anderson (1-1) allowed a hit and struck out one without walking a batter over a scoreless inning, earning the win in Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader versus the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

Anderson pitched the seventh inning and became the pitcher of record when Salvador Perez put the Royals ahead with a two-run home run in the eighth. It's been feast or famine for Anderson so far -- he has five scoreless outings and two games where he's given up two runs. He's sporting a 3:4 K:BB and a 2.00 WHIP over six innings, so it wouldn't be surprising to see him continue working as a middle reliever most of the time.

Anderson (0-1) allowed two runs on two hits without walking or striking out a batter over one-third of an inning to take the loss Monday versus the Orioles.

EDGE Analysis

Andreson was tasked with the ninth inning in a 4-4 game, but he ended up giving up a walk-off two-run home run to Jordan Westburg. None of the Royals' top relievers have looked all that steady early in the season, so this misstep is unlikely to cost Anderson too much in what remains a fluid bullpen situation. He pitched a clean inning versus the Twins on Opening Day and should continue to see mid-to-high-leverage assignments.

Anderson has allowed two runs on three hits and a walk with two strikeouts over three Cactus League innings.

EDGE Analysis

Anderson was traded from Atlanta to Kansas City in November. The 33-year-old right-hander has nine saves and 37 holds under his belt over four major-league campaigns, having missed 2022 after undergoing internal brace surgery on his elbow. Anderson figures to be in the high-leverage mix for the Royals this season, though bullpen roles are up for grabs after the team's aggressive remodeling of its bullpen in the offseason.

The Royals and Anderson avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.575 million contract Thursday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

EDGE Analysis

Anderson was in his second year of arbitration eligibility. Acquired from Atlanta via trade in November, Anderson posted a 3.06 ERA and 36:9 K:BB over 35.1 frames in 2023. He's a good bet to be effective for as long as he can remain healthy in 2024.

Atlanta traded Anderson to the Royals on Friday in exchange for cash, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Anderson was a non-tender candidate for Atlanta, so Kansas City took the opportunity to land the 33-year-old reliever. Anderson posted a 3.06 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with 36 strikeouts across 35.1 frames before a shoulder strain put an early end to his season. With the Royals, Anderson may be called upon often in high-leverage situations.