Royals Place Matt Strahm On 15-Day Injured List

Matt Strahm was placed on the 15-day injured list with right knee inflammation. Bailey Falter was reinstated from the injured list to take Strahm’s spot. Strahm previously dealt with right knee inflammation in September 2020 and about a year later, missing 12 days and roughly two weeks, respectively. He went on the injured list twice in 2022 for non-knee issues and was fully healthy from 2023 onward. The Royals acquired Strahm from the Phillies in December for Jonathan Bowlan. Strahm posted a 2.30 ERA over 125 relief innings from 2024-25 and earned an All-Star nomination in 2024. With Kansas City in 2026, he has a 3.86 ERA, but his velocity has declined and his 4.88 FIP is higher than his ERA. The Royals expect a quick return if the knee inflammation is minor.

"The Royals have placed reliever Matt Strahm on the 15-day injured list with right knee inflammation, MLB.com's Jeff Jones reports. Bailey Falter (left elbow inflammation) was reinstated from the IL in Strahm's place."

"Strahm has dealt with right knee inflammation in the past. The first occurrence was in September 2020, and in that case, Strahm missed only 12 days. The second case was about a year later, and again, Strahm missed only two weeks. He went on the IL twice in 2022, but not for knee injuries. Strahm was fully healthy from 2023 onward, so between that and his minimal absences for knee inflammation in the past, the Royals can expect him to be back in short order."

"Strahm was coming off an excellent 2.30 ERA in 125 relief innings from 2024-25 and a recent All-Star nomination in 2024. His acquisition added an experienced lefty to the Royals' bullpen at an affordable $4.5MM salary for 2026. Strahm has been serviceable for the Royals, though he's taken a step back from last year's 2.74 ERA with the Phillies. In 16 1/3 innings over 17 appearances, Strahm has a 3.86 ERA."

"More concerningly, Strahm's velocity is down across the board. His four-seamer, which he uses 36.3% of the time, is down from 92.2 to 91.1 MPH, which Statcast has in just the seventh percentile. Meanwhile, Strahm's 4.88 FIP is a full run higher than his ERA, suggesting he's been fortunate to perform as he has. The downturn could be a mix of age-related decline (Strahm is now 34) and the knee injury. Royals manager Matt Quatraro told reporters today that Strahm has "been pitching through it all year" and that the inflammation flared up in the ninth inning of yesterday's game."

Read at MLB Trade Rumors