The Pirates signed Murdock to a minor-league contract Nov. 14.

EDGE Analysis

Murdock made 14 appearances for the Athletics this past season after being taken in the Rule 5 Draft but was returned to the Royals after posting a 13.24 ERA over 17 innings. The 27-year-old has a 4.55 ERA and 66:39 K:BB across 59.1 frames at the Triple-A level.

Murdock was returned from the Athletics to the Royals on Monday, per MLB's transaction log.

EDGE Analysis

Murdock was designated for assignment by the Athletics on Friday, and as a Rule 5 draft pick, he'll return to the Royals' farm system after going unclaimed on waivers. He's been roughed up so far this season in the big leagues, accruing a 13.24 ERA and 2.71 WHIP with a 21:20 K:BB across 17.0 innings.

Murdock was designated for assignment by the Athletics on Friday, Jessica Kleinschmidt of Baseball America reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old right-hander has been blasted to the tune of a 13.24 ERA and 2.71 WHIP across 17 innings out of the bullpen. Murdock was Rule 5 draft pick during the offseason, so he'll be offered back to the Royals if he passes through waivers unclaimed. With him removed from the 40-man roster, the Athletics recalled Elvis Alvarado from Triple-A Las Vegas in a corresponding move.

Athletics manager Mark Kotsay informed Murdock on Monday that he's made the Opening Day roster, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

A Rule 5 selection from the Royals over the winter, Murdock earned a spot on the 26-man roster by allowing just three runs with a 7:5 K:BB over 7.2 Cactus League innings. The tall right-hander should operate in low-leverage relief situations for the Athletics initially.

Murdock looks set to win a spot in the bullpen, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports. He threw a scoreless inning in Thursday's win over the Reds and has a 4.05 ERA with a 6:4 K:BB in 6.2 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Murdock was a Rule 5 pick in December so he'll need to stay on the major league roster all season for the A's to retain his rights. Murdock has logged groundball rates over 55 percent at his three most recent stops thanks to a quality sinker. He posted a 3.76 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 46:26 K:BB and 62.1 percent groundball rate in 38.1 innings at Triple-A last season. Murdock should work in low-leverage situations initially, but has some upside as a middle reliever.