Angel Zerpa - Page 3 - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Zerpa quickly earning trust in high-leverage situations SURPRISE, Ariz. -- At some point last summer, Angel Zerpa threw a sinker that registered 99 mph on the stadium radar gun, a number that even...

MARCH 8, 2025 • MLB.COM

High-leverage test? Zerpa passes with flying colors BALTIMORE -- Angel Zerpa was tasked with getting the Royals out of the fifth inning in his postseason debut. But it was not going to be easy...

OCTOBER 3, 2024 • MLB.COM

Nabs second win Zerpa (2-0) earned the extra-inning win over the Nationals on Tuesday, pitching a perfect inning.

Impact Zerpa worked the ninth inning in a scoreless game, and he was able to keep it that way. He's allowed just one hit while striking out six over four innings across four appearances since he rejoined the major-league roster Sept. 14. The left-handed reliever is at a 4.06 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 47:18 K:BB with 10 holds and a blow save over 51 innings in the majors this season.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled from Omaha The Royals recalled Zerpa from Triple-A Omaha on Saturday.

Impact With Chris Stratton (forearm) headed for the injured list, the Royals will call upon Zerpa to help get their bullpen through the final couple weeks of the regular season. The 24-year-old southpaw owns a 4.40 ERA and 1.57 WHIP through 47 big-league innings on the year and will most likely serve in middle relief while with Kansas City.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled from Omaha The Royals recalled Zerpa from Triple-A Omaha on Saturday.

Impact With Chris Stratton (forearm) headed for the injured list, the Royals will call upon Zerpa to help get their bullpen through the final couple of weeks of the regular season. The 24-year-old southpaw owns a 4.40 ERA and 1.57 WHIP through 47 big-league innings on the year and will most likely serve in middle relief while with Kansas City.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sent down to minors The Royals optioned Zerpa to Triple-A Omaha on Monday.

Impact Zerpa leads Kansas City with 53 appearances this season and has pitched well for the bulk of the year, but in August he's cratered to a 9.82 ERA and 4:8 K:BB in 7.1 frames. Daniel Lynch is absorbing his spot in the bullpen.

AUGUST 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Strikes out five in spring start Zerpa allowed a run on two hits and struck out five without walking a batter over three innings in his first spring start Wednesday versus the Mariners.

Impact Zerpa's first two appearances of the Cactus League slate had come out of the bullpen, but the Royals are intent on keeping him stretched out as a starter. He's started six of his 19 major-league appearances, though he primarily worked as a long reliever in 2023 when he was with the Royals. Zerpa faces an uphill battle to make the rotation out of camp, but he should be one of the first options available for a call-up from Triple-A Omaha once the season is underway -- if he doesn't end up serving as a swingman in the bullpen.

MARCH 7, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Earns win in bulk role Zerpa (3-3) earned the win Wednesday against the Guardians. He allowed three hits while striking out four over 5.1 scoreless innings.

Impact After Zack Greinke pitched the first 3.2 innings, Zerpa entered in relief and proceeded to blank the Guardians for 5.1 frames to earn his second straight win. The 23-year-old southpaw has excelled out of the bullpen recently, allowing just one run in his last three appearances (10.1 innings), striking out nine while issuing just one walk in that span. Zerpa may be making a case to start the 2024 campaign in Kansas City's rotation. He now sports a 4/83 ERA with a 1.26 WHIP and 29:7 K:BB across 37.1 innings this season.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Velázquez homers, Zerpa shuts down Guardians as KC finishes sweep with 6-2 win

Nelson Velázquez hit a three-run homer, Angel Zerpa shut down Cleveland in relief of Zack Greinke and the Royals rolled to a 6-2 win that completed a three-game sweep

SEPTEMBER 20, 2023 • Associated Press

Secures win Friday Zerpa (2-3) allowed one run on two hits and a walk while striking out five over four innings to earn the win Friday over the Astros.

Impact Zerpa has bounced between the rotation and the bullpen, and his appearance Friday was as a long reliever behind Zack Greinke, who went just two innings. Zerpa threw 70 pitches (43 strikes) in an effective appearance. He's allowed just two runs over his last nine innings, an improvement on his 5.63 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 25:7 K:BB through 32 innings overall. Zerpa could continue to serve as a piggyback option for Greinke or Alec Marsh over the last two weeks of the season.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Called on earlier than expected, Zerpa excels in victory KANSAS CITY -- The Astros' lineup can be daunting at any given point, one through nine, so when Angel Zerpa had two runners on base in the s...

SEPTEMBER 16, 2023 • MLB.COM

Works in relief Tuesday Zerpa struck out three over three scoreless innings out of the bullpen in Tuesday's 7-6 win over the White Sox. He scattered four hits and didn't walk a batter in the 47-pitch outi...

Impact Zerpa shifted back to the bullpen this week after his previous appearance had come in a starting role Aug. 30 versus the Pirates. The 23-year-old southpaw looks like he'll be the next man up if a starting spot opens back up at any point in September, but for now, the Royals seem content to stick with a five-man rotation.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Takes loss versus Pittsburgh Zerpa (1-3) allowed three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out three over 5.2 innings to take the loss Wednesday versus the Pirates.

Impact Zerpa has moved between the bullpen and the rotation throughout August, but this was his longest outing of the year. He wasn't particularly effective, throwing just 49 of 84 pitches for strikes while allowing multiple runs for the fourth time in eight appearances. Overall, he has a 6.65 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 17:6 K:BB through 23 innings this season. If Brady Singer (arm) is cleared to pitch next week, Zerpa would likely move back to the bullpen unless the Royals opt to switch to a six-man rotation for the final month of the campaign.

AUGUST 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Draws start Wednesday Zerpa is scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Pirates at Kauffman Stadium, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Impact Zerpa made his latest appearance out of the bullpen this past Saturday in Seattle while Zack Greinke moved back into a traditional starting role earlier this week, but the Royals will turn to Zerpa for a spot start Wednesday since Brady Singer (arm) is having his turn in the rotation skipped. Assuming the brief respite is all Singer needs to overcome his bout with arm fatigue, Zerpa will likely head back to the bullpen following Wednesday's start. Between his previous two starts with Kansas City this season, Zerpa has given up five earned runs on nine hits and three walks while striking out 10 over seven innings.

AUGUST 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Royals' Angel Zerpa aims to prevent sweep vs. Pirates The Kansas City Royals will turn to left-hander Angel Zerpa on Wednesday in their effort to avert a three-game series sweep against the visi...

AUGUST 30, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Moves to bullpen Saturday Zerpa struck out a batter and allowed one run on one hit while working out of the bullpen in Saturday's 15-2 loss to the Mariners.

Impact Zerpa had started in each of his last two appearances, but he was piggybacked in Tuesday's game against Oakland by Zack Greinke, who was eased back in from his return from the injured list with a four-inning relief appearance. Greinke should be ready to take on a more traditional starting role the next time his turn in the rotation comes up during the Royals' upcoming series with the Pirates, so Zerpa appears to have transitioned back into a full-time relief role.

AUGUST 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Handed second loss Zerpa (1-2) allowed five runs (four earned) on four hits and a walk while striking out four over three innings to take the loss Tuesday versus the Athletics.

Impact Zerpa served as more of an opener, allowing the Royals to ease Zack Greinke back in for his return from an elbow injury. Zerpa ended up giving up all the runs in his start, and his future in the rotation for the rest of this season is likely in doubt. He's pitched to a poor 7.16 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 13:4 K:BB through 16.1 innings over six appearances (two starts).

AUGUST 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Strikes out six over four frames Zerpa did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing one run on five hits and two walks over four innings against the Mariners. He struck out six.

Impact It wasn't an ideal start for Zerpa as the right-hander allowed three hits and two walks over the first two innings while also beaning two batters. He still managed to come away with just one run allowed but was replaced by Max Castillo to open the fifth after reaching a season-high 84 pitches. Zerpa has now allowed five runs over his last two appearances, recording an 8:3 K:BB over that span. His six strikeouts Thursday also marked a season high.

AUGUST 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sticking in rotation this week Zerpa is scheduled to start Thursday's game against the Mariners at Kauffman Stadium.

Impact Though Zerpa is lined up to make his first start of the season, he's essentially making his second straight turn through the rotation as a replacement for Zack Greinke (elbow). In his most recent outing Friday versus the Cardinals, Zerpa was deployed in bulk relief behind opener Dylan Coleman and picked up the win despite giving up five runs (four earned) on five hits and one walk over four innings. He won't make for an especially trustworthy streaming option during his upcoming outing versus the Mariners.

AUGUST 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Earns win as bulk reliever Zerpa (1-1) earned the win Friday against the Cardinals. He allowed five runs on five hits and one walk while striking out two over four innings.

Impact It's not that Zerpa was effective, but he entered the game in the second inning already up 8-0 giving him a clear path to earn his first win. Zerpa worked as a starter in the minors prior to his call up on August 1st. This was his second appearance as a bulk reliever for the big club and fourth overall. Zerpa has now allowed eight runs in 9.1 innings with only three strikeouts. Those stats do not portend to him holding much value moving forward, especially on a Royals' team that has amassed just 38 wins on the season.

AUGUST 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Slated for bulk role Friday Zerpa is expected to serve in a bulk-relief role behind opener Dylan Coleman in Friday's game against the Cardinals, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Impact Zerpa looks like he'll get the first chance to fill the opening in the Kansas City rotation that was created by Zack Greinke's (elbow) recent move to the injured list. Though Zerpa has made only three appearances in the big leagues in 2023 while spending a significant chunk of time on the injured list, he had been serving as a starter at Triple-A Omaha prior to is call-up to the Kansas City bullpen Aug. 1. Over six outings with Omaha, Zerpa compiled a 4.73 ERA and 1.53 WHIP over 26.2 innings.

AUGUST 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Tagged with loss Saturday Zerpa (0-1) allowed four runs on five hits and struck out one without walking a batter over three innings to take the loss Saturday versus the Phillies.

Impact Zerpa gave up a three-run home run and an RBI double to Trea Turner, which was enough to flip the game around in Philadelphia's favor. This was Zerpa's second major-league appearance of the season -- he tossed two scoreless innings versus the Mets on Wednesday. For now, it appears he'll provide a multi-inning option out of the bullpen. It's unclear if he'll be able to stretch out enough in that role to pick up starts down the stretch.

AUGUST 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Up with big club Zerpa was recalled from Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.

Impact Zerpa was sent to Omaha after being reinstated from the 60-day injured list in mid-July, and he'll now join the big-league club. The 23-year-old has a 4.73 ERA across 26.2 innings as a starter at Triple-A but may work out of the bullpen for the Royals.

AUGUST 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Activated and optioned Zerpa (shoulder) was activated from the 60-day injured list and optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Friday.

Impact The shoulder issue which has kept Zerpa out all season looks to be behind him, but he'll remain at Omaha where he had been on his rehab assignment. Zerpa has collected a 2.91 ERA and 22:9 K:BB over 21.2 frames covering six rehab starts.

JULY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Strikes out seven in rehab start Zerpa (shoulder) covered 4.1 innings and struck out seven in his most recent rehab start Monday for Triple-A Omaha. He allowed four earned runs on six hits and two walks.

Impact Zerpa has resided on the injured list all season while recovering from a tendon issue in his left shoulder, but he appears to be on the cusp of an activation. He's now reached the fifth inning in both of his last two rehab outings and tossed a season-high 80 pitches Monday. Altogether, Zerpa has compiled a 3.78 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 19:8 K:BB in 16.2 innings over his five starts between Omaha and Double-A Northwest Arkansas. If the Royals opt to have him forgo another rehab start, Zerpa could be a candidate to return from the 60-day IL to fill the opening in the big-league rotation Sunday versus the Rays.

JULY 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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Velázquez homers, Zerpa shuts down Guardians as KC finishes sweep with 6-2 win