Buchter exited Wednesday's game against the Rangers with shoulder stiffness, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Buchter was seen grimacing after striking out the only batter he faced before exiting Wednesday's game with a trainer. The severity of the issue isn't known at this point, but things should clear up once he's further evaluated during the team's off-day Thursday.

Buchter exited Wednesday's game against the Rangers with an apparent injury, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Specifics regarding the injury remain unclear right now, but Buchter exited Wednesday's game with a trainer after recording just one out. More should be known once he's further evaluated in the coming days.

Buchter (1-0) fired a scoreless two-thirds of an inning in a win over the Rangers on Monday, recording a strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

Buchter has put together a nice stretch of effective pitching out of the bullpen, with Monday's outing serving as his fifth straight scoreless effort. The 31-year-old southpaw serves as a valued matchup-based option for manager Bob Melvin, as exemplified by the .174 BAA he owns against the 27 same-handed hitters he's faced in 2018. His work against righty bats thus far has uncharacteristically left much to be desired, however, as Buchter sports a .375 BAA against that handedness after limiting them to figures of .168 and .193 in 2016 and 2017, respectively.

Buchter grabbed his fourth hold in a 2-1 win over the Mariners on Sunday, firing a scoreless two-thirds of an inning and issuing a walk.

EDGE Analysis

It was Buchter's second consecutive scoreless outing and ninth appearance of the season overall. Manager Bob Melvin has deployed the veteran southpaw liberally, rarely giving him more than two days in between outings. Whether that type of usage eventually reaches a point of diminishing returns remains to be seen, but for the time being, Buchter's value in formats that count holds remains solid.

Buchter earned his second hold in Saturday's 7-3 win over the Angels despite allowing a solo home run over two-thirds of an inning.

EDGE Analysis

Buchter saw Luis Valbuena touch him up for a solo blast with one out in the seventh, but Emilio Pagan and Blake Treinen blanked the Angels over the final 2.2 innings, allowing the southpaw to earn his second hold of the season. The 31-year-old has earned both over his last two appearances, following a string of four scoreless efforts to open 2018. Given his value as a left-handed relief option, Buchter should continue seeing a brisk workload over the course of the season.

Buchter is expected to serve as one of two left-handed relief options for manager Bob Melvin in the coming season, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

It thus appears his handedness will help secure him a roster spot despite a rough spring, one that's seen him post an 11.37 ERA over 6.1 exhibition frames. A lot of the damage against the 31-year-old came in two outings against the Giants and Mariners in which he allowed a combined eight earned runs on six hits and three walks. Buchter came over from the Royals via trade in December along with the since-released Brandon Moss after a strong 2017, one in which he posted a 2.89 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 65 strikeouts over 71 appearances with the Padres and Kansas City.

Buchter and Brandon Moss were traded to Oakland in exchange for Jesse Hahn and Heath Fillmyer on Monday, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Buchter split the 2017 campaign between the Padres and Royals, but managed to put together a solid year with the two squads. He pitched in 71 games (65.1 innings) and posted a 2.89 ERA and 1.07 WHIP. Buchter also picked up 20 holds and owned a 65:26 K:BB. While Buchter could see high-leverage situations with Oakland, there's yet to be any reason to believe that he'll be used in save opportunities instead of Blake Treinen.

Buchter collected his 18th hold, striking out one in a clean sixth inning Friday against the Indians.

EDGE Analysis

With the team's bullpen in disarray, the left-hander seems to have garnered the trust of manager Ned Yost. Buchter hasn't allowed a run in eight of his last nine appearances, and Friday marked his second hold in as many nights. He hasn't received much high-leverage work since being acquired from San Diego, but Yost might changing that moving forward.

Buchter notched his 17th hold of the year after allowing a hit and striking out two Indians over an inning of work Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

The left-hander owns a 3.48 ERA in 20 appearances since coming over from the Padres in July, but two of those outings account for five of the eight runs he's allowed. Buchter has been productive for the Royals, but his current role with the team makes him an unappealing fantasy option.

Buchter owns a 4.32 ERA in nine appearances as a Royal since being traded from San Diego on July 24.

EDGE Analysis

Buchter was surprisingly successful as a setup man the past two seasons on the west coast, notching 36 holds with a 3.04 ERA over 118 games for the Padres. The Royals are still figuring out how to utilize the 30-year-old, but with a DL stint looming over Joakim Soria (lat), Buchter may find himself back in a position to pick up holds in the near future.