The Royals granted Stripling's request to be released Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander signed a minor-league contract a month ago but surrendered 14 earned runs over eight innings during spring training. Stripling had a 6.01 ERA in 22 appearances with the A's last year and will likely have to settle for another minor-league deal elsewhere.

Stripling agreed to a minor-league contract with the Royals on Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training.

EDGE Analysis

Stripling has been a successful swingman at times throughout his career but had to settle for a minor-league deal after posting a 6.01 ERA across 85.1 innings with the Athletics last season. While the veteran right-hander will compete for a place on the Opening Day roster, he should be considered more likely to begin the campaign at Triple-A Omaha.

Stripling fired a scoreless sixth inning in an extra-inning loss to the Mariners on Saturday, issuing a walk.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran right-hander had been activated from the injured list Friday, and manager Mark Kotsay opted to have him return in a relief capacity. Stripling has struggled to a 2-11 record, 6.01 ERA and 1.54 WHIP across 22 appearances (14 starts) in his debut Athletics campaign, making him a dubious candidate for a return to the team in free agency this offseason.

The Athletics reinstated Stripling (back) from the 15-day injured list Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Stripling landed on the injured list Sept. 11 due to a lower-back strain and began facing live hitters again as recently as Tuesday. Now that he's healthy, he'll presumably take on a low-leverage role out of the bullpen for the final three games of the season. Meanwhile, Brady Basso will head to the Arizona Complex League in order to free up a roster spot.

Stripling (back) completed a live batting practice session Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran right-hander presumably got through the session without any issues, making it the third box he's checked off within the last week after also completing bullpen sessions Wednesday and Saturday. Assuming Stripling doesn't have any residual effects from Tuesday's activity in coming days, he remains a candidate to be activated at some point during the final series of the season that begins Friday against the Mariners at T-Mobile Park.

Stripling (back) emerged from Saturday's bullpen session healthy and is slated to face live hitters Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander completed two bullpen sessions over a four-day span without any apparent setbacks, paving the way for the live batting practice Tuesday. If that step is similarly successful, Stripling is expected to be activated at some point before the beginning of the final series of the season Friday against the Mariners in Seattle.

Stripling (back) came out of his bullpen session Wednesday feeling good and will thrown another one Saturday, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran right-hander was able to throw mostly fastballs while occasionally mixing in each of his offspeed pitches during Wednesday's session, which consisted of 25 pitches overall. If all goes just as smoothly with Saturday's activity, Stripling remains hopeful of being activated when first eligible Tuesday.

Stripling (back) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Wednesday and another several days after, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran right-hander has been on the injured list since last Tuesday with a lower-back strain, and Wednesday will mark the first time he'll attempt to do any throwing since that point. If all goes well with the session, Stripling is slated to repeat the process at some point after the Athletics begin a homestand Friday against the Yankees. Despite the recent developments, a return for Stripling before the end of the regular season isn't a certainty in the view of manager Mark Kotsay, per the Associated Press.

The Athletics placed Stripling on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a lower-back strain.

EDGE Analysis

Stripling was roughed up for 10 runs over his last two relief appearances but might have been pitching compromised. He will be eligible to return during the last week of the season, but it's not clear whether he will make it back.

Stripling fired 4.1 scoreless relief innings in a loss to the Brewers on Friday, allowing two hits and two walks while recording four strikeouts. He did not factor into the decision.

EDGE Analysis

Starter JP Sears was atypically ineffective and chased after 3.2 innings and 90 pitches, so Stripling was called on to deploy his multi-inning capabilities and ideally spare some of his bullpen mates. The one-time starter came through as hoped, getting 13 outs on 68 pitches to serve as a bridge to the ninth inning. The outing was only Stripling's second since officially being moved to the bullpen, with his first relief appearance having come nine days prior against the Mets.