Long allowed three runs on two hits and two walks while striking out one over an inning Saturday against the Guardians.

EDGE Analysis

Long has struggled to begin the season as he's given up 12 runs (10 earned) with five walks in seven innings. He was a productive reliever for the Royals last season with a 3.16 ERA and 44:17 K:BB ratio in 42.2 innings so he may get some time to turn his season around. However, he may be limited to low-leverage situations for awhile.

Long (hand) is scheduled to make an appearance out of the bullpen in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Mariners, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Long will be making just his third appearance of the spring and his first since March 3, when he was struck in the left hand by a line drive. The southpaw dealt with some residual swelling to his pitching hand as a result, but he was able to resume throwing a few days later. The 29-year-old remains firmly in the mix for a spot in Kansas City's Opening Day bullpen.

Long, who was hit by a line drive in his left hand in Monday's outing, threw a bullpen session Thursday despite some swelling, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Long had test results that showed he didn't suffer any broken bones after he reached to grab a line drive and it deflected off his pitching hand. It's possible his next appearance this spring gets delayed, however, so he could fall behind for being ready for Opening Day.

Long (3-3) allowed a run on one hit and one walk while striking out three over 1.1 innings to take the loss versus Atlanta on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Long gave up a walk-off solo home run to Travis d'Arnaud in the ninth inning. September has been a little rough for Long -- he's allowed seven runs over 11.1 innings, though he's still had a good process with an 11:3 K:BB in that span. The southpaw reliever has a 3.16 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 44:17 K:BB through 42.2 innings, making him a decent option for a spot in the Royals' postseason bullpen.

Long (3-2) allowed three runs on three hits and struck out one over two-thirds of an inning to take the loss Monday versus the Tigers.

EDGE Analysis

Long allowed a two-run double to Wenceel Perez in the sixth inning, and John Schreiber allowed an inherited runner to score the decisive run, which stuck Long with the loss. While he's generally been steady this year, Long has faded in September, allowing five runs over seven innings this month. The southpaw is now at a 3.29 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 38:16 K:BB with one save and six holds through 38.1 innings this season.

Long (3-1) allowed a hit and a walk while striking out two over 1.1 scoreless innings to earn the win in Game 2 of Monday's doubleheader versus the Guardians.

EDGE Analysis

Spot starter Alec Marsh was unable to complete five innings, leaving the win to Long after the Royals took the lead in the top of the fifth. Long has allowed two runs with a 6:6 K:BB over 7.1 innings in August, earning a win and two holds. Overall, he has a 2.37 ERA despite a 1.25 WHIP and 33:14 K:BB over 30.1 innings this year, and he's added one save and five holds while mostly seeing low-leverage work.

Long struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Tuesday to record his first save of the season in a 4-3 win over the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

With James McArthur having coughed up eight runs in his last three appearances and trade-deadline acquisition Lucas Erceg not yet having joined the team, Long got a look in the ninth and carved up Chicago's 6-7-8 hitters. The southpaw has given up only one run in 8.1 July innings with a 9:1 K:BB, and while he's unlikely to see many additional save chances, Long appears to be establishing himself as the top option from the left side in the Kansas City bullpen.

Long (2-1) walked one and struck out four over 1.2 scoreless innings to earn the win Thursday over the Guardians.

EDGE Analysis

Long worked in the sixth and seventh innings after a strong start from Michael Wacha. The Royals pulled ahead 2-1 in the sixth inning, and Long did his part to keep the score there. The southpaw has been scored on in just three of his 14 appearances this season, pitching to a 1.98 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 15:7 K:BB over 13.2 innings in a low-leverage role. The Royals' bullpen has been a weak spot this year, so it's possible Long could find himself in a more prominent role if he continues to have success.

Long (1-1) allowed two walks and struck out one over one scoreless and hitless inning to earn the win Thursday over the Guardians.

EDGE Analysis

Long took a loss in his last outing, but he bounced back to get the win this time around. While he wasn't sharp with the two walks, he was able to keep runs off the board. Long hasn't been charged with an earned run yet, allowing two unearned runs on one hit and three walks with six strikeouts over 6.1 innings this season. He's been pitching in close games recently, but he still sees most of his action in the middle innings, so it's unlikely he gets a look for save chances any time soon.

Long (0-1) allowed two unearned runs on one hit and one walk while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning to take the loss Tuesday versus the Guardians.

EDGE Analysis

Long put two runners on base before giving way to Angel Zerpa in the seventh inning. A Bobby Witt error would allow three runs to score, including the two on Long's line that sent him to the loss. He still hasn't given up an earned run over 5.1 innings this season, and he's generally pitched well with a 5:1 K:BB in a low-leverage role since he was brought up to the majors May 20. Long has previous experience as a starter, but none of his six big-league appearances this year have exceeded one inning. He went longer than an inning in eight of his 15 outings for Triple-A Omaha prior to his call-up, so he could still be called on to provide length out of the bullpen.