JAKE BRENTZ NEWS

Released by TB The Rays released Brentz on Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact The Rays took a flier on Brentz in the offseason after he finished 2024 with a 12.62 ERA and 2.67 WHIP over 30.2 total innings between the Royals' Double-A and Triple-A affiliates. He didn't show many signs of improvement in the Grapefruit League, giving up three earned runs in 4.1 frames alongside a 3:7 K:BB. Rather than attempting to get him back on track in the minors, the Rays will simply send the 30-year-old reliever back into the open market.

MARCH 13 • ROTOWIRE

Latches on with Tampa Bay The Rays signed Brentz to a minor-league contract Dec. 7.

Impact Brentz hasn't been the same since coming back from Tommy John surgery, most recently posting an 11.40 ERA while walking 52 over 30 innings between Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha in the Royals organization. The lefty did show promise in his rookie season back in 2021 and the Rays will try to coax that back out of him.

DECEMBER 11, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Beginning rehab assignment Brentz (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha on Sunday.

Impact Brentz has missed over a month with a Grade 2 hamstring strain, which follows Tommy John surgery in 2022 and a lat strain in 2023. Given the long layoff, the Royals are likely to ease Brentz back into action, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports. Pitchers can spend 30 days on a rehab assignment, so it's unlikely he's back in the majors until mid-May at the earliest.

APRIL 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Throws bullpen Brentz (hamstring) thew a bullpen session Tuesday and remains on schedule, Byron Kerr of MLB.com reports.

Impact Brentz was placed on the 15-day injured list last Thursday after suffering a Grade 2 hamstring strain in mid-March. In the bullpen session Tuesday, he threw 20-30 pitches with positive results.

APRIL 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

KC Royals reliever Jake Brentz sidelined with Grade 2 hamstring strain Royals pitcher Jake Brentz is dealing with another injury after missing two seasons.

MARCH 19, 2024 • KANSASCITY.COM

Suffers season-ending lat strain Brentz (elbow) is expected to miss the remainder of the season after suffering a left lat strain while on his rehab assignment, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Impact Brentz began a rehab assignment earlier this month while working his way back from Tommy John surgery, but now a new injury ends his season before it started. The left-hander should have a relatively normal offseason, but if he begins 2024 on time he'll have gone nearly two years in between major-league appearances.

AUGUST 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Pulled off rehab assignment Brentz (elbow) was pulled off his minor-league rehab assignment Friday.

Impact Brentz is not immediately joining the Royals' bullpen, so he may have suffered a setback in his recovery from Tommy John surgery. The 28-year-old left-hander underwent the reconstructive elbow procedure last July.

AUGUST 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Rehab assignment moved to Double-A Brentz's (elbow) rehab assignment was transferred to Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Tuesday.

Impact Brentz, who is on the road back from Tommy John surgery, made two appearances in the Arizona Complex League, striking out three while allowing an unearned run in 1.2 innings. The reliever will presumably make several more rehab appearances before potentially returning to the big leagues before the end of the season.

AUGUST 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Making moves in recovery Brentz (elbow) is expected to begin a rehab assignment Wednesday with Kansas City's affiliate in the Arizona League.

Impact Brentz has been out of action since undergoing Tommy John surgery in July of 2022, but he has made good progress in his recovery and is nearly ready for the next step. If all continues going as planned, chances are he will get a shot with the big club before the campaign comes to a close.

AUGUST 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Lands on 60-day IL Brentz was placed on the 60-day injured list Thursday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Impact This is simply a procedural move, as Brentz will likely miss all of the 2023 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. His placement on the 60-day IL opened up a 40-man roster spot for Jackie Bradley.

MARCH 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Brentz gets $1.9M deal with Royals, recovering from surgery

Left-hander Jake Brentz and the Kansas City Royals have agreed to a $1.9 million, two-year contract that keeps him with the team as he recovers from Tommy John surgery

MARCH 17, 2023 • Associated Press

Royals sign reliever Brentz to two-year deal SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The Royals signed lefty Jake Brentz to a two-year Major League deal as he rehabs from left elbow surgery he had midseason...

MARCH 17, 2023 • MLB.COM

Rejoins Royals Brentz (elbow) signed a two-year deal with the Royals on Thursday.

Impact Brentz underwent Tommy John surgery in the middle of July, so he will miss the entire 2023 season. Prior to going down with the arm issue in 2022, he made only a few appearances with the Royals and allowed 14 earned runs across 5.1 innings while striking out nine and walking 10.

MARCH 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Non-tendered after DFA The Royals declined to tender Brentz (elbow) a major-league contract for 2023.

Impact This decision comes a few days after the lefty was designated for assignment, and seemingly ends the business relationship between the two sides. After leading the Royals in appearances in 2021 with 72, Brentz struggled last season before undergoing Tommy John surgery in July.

NOVEMBER 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Designated for assignment Brentz (elbow) was designated for assignment by the Royals on Tuesday.

Impact Brentz made just eight relief appearances last season before hitting the injured list with elbow issues. He began a rehab assignment in mid-June but paused it soon after and eventually underwent Tommy John surgery in late July. The timing of the procedure means he'll miss the majority or perhaps the entirety of the 2023 season. He'll manage his recovery while no longer a member of the 40-man roster, as the Royals elected to clear space to protect other players from the Rule 5 draft.

NOVEMBER 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Undergoes Tommy John surgery The Royals announced Thursday that Brentz recently underwent Tommy John surgery on his left elbow.

Impact The 27-year-old has been sidelined by an elbow strain since late April, and he began a minor-league rehab assignment in mid-June only to be pulled after one appearance. Given the timing of the procedure, Brentz is likely to miss the entirety of the 2023 campaign in addition to the rest of this season.

JULY 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Pauses rehab assignment Brentz (elbow) paused his rehab assignment to return to Kansas City and be reevaluated Friday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Impact Brentz has been out since late April with a flexor strain. He'd recently begun a rehab assignment but felt renewed tightness in the same area, so his game action will be put on hold for now. A new timeline for his return should be available after the reevaluation.

JUNE 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Starts rehab stint Brentz (elbow) will report to Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Sunday to begin a rehab assignment.

Impact Brentz has been sidelined by a flexor strain in his left elbow since late April, but he's entering the final stage of his rehab program. The 27-year-old surrendered 14 earned runs with a 9:10 K:BB across 5.1 innings prior to landing on the injured list.

JUNE 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Transferred to 60-day IL Brentz (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Sunday.

Impact This is not surprising, as Brentz is on the shelf with a left flexor strain. He should be considered out indefinitely.

JUNE 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Lands on 10-day injured list Brentz was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left flexor strain Saturday.

Impact Brentz was ineffective against the Yankees on Friday, allowing five runs (four earned) on four hits while failing to record an out. It's possible his injury contributed to his struggles, and he'll be sidelined for at least 10 days. It's not yet clear how much time the southpaw is expected to miss, but right-hander Matt Peacock was recalled from Triple-A Omaha to provide an additional arm in the bullpen.

APRIL 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Fails to record out Brentz allowed five runs (four earned) on four hits without recording an out in Friday's 12-2 loss to the Yankees.

Impact Any chance of the Royals making a comeback disappeared after Brentz made a mess of the eighth inning. The southpaw has allowed multiple runs in four of his eight appearances this season, including 11 runs (10 earned) in his last three outings. In the small sample this season, he's sporting an ugly 23.63 ERA and 3.94 WHIP. There's little reason to have confidence in the reliever right now.

APRIL 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Makes mess of third loss Brentz (0-3) took the loss Saturday versus the Mariners. He allowed five runs on a hit and four walks with one strikeout in one-third of an inning.

Impact Brentz entered the game in the eighth inning, but he threw just 11 of his 29 pitches for strikes. Dylan Coleman relieved him and allowed two inherited runners to score on a Ty France home run. It's been an inconsistent start to the season for Brentz, who has surrendered nine runs with an 8:9 K:BB across 4.1 innings. He's picked up two holds in addition to his three losses, but the southpaw may be pitching himself out of the high-leverage conversation if he continues to struggle with command.

APRIL 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Kansas City Royals' Dozier and Brentz react to series-opening loss to Tigers Kansas City Royals infielder/outfielder Hunter Dozier and left-handed relief pitcher Jake Brentz talk about the club's 4-2 loss to the Detro...

APRIL 15, 2022 • KANSASCITY.COM

Dealt second loss Brentz (0-2) took the loss Thursday versus the Tigers, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk with two strikeouts in two-thirds of an inning.

Impact Brentz has made a mess of his last two outings, and he's taken the loss in both. He allowed RBI singles to Victor Reyes and Austin Meadows in the seventh inning of this contest, and the Royals' offense wasn't able to get him off the hook. Brentz has now allowed four runs, four hits and four walks with four strikeouts through 2.1 innings. The 27-year-old was effective in a high-leverage role last year, but he could move to the middle innings if he doesn't get back on track soon.

APRIL 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Takes loss versus Guardians Brentz (0-1) allowed two runs on a hit and a walk with one strikeout in two-thirds of an inning, taking the loss Monday versus the Guardians.

Impact Brentz was responsible for both runs the Guardians scored in the seventh inning to break a 4-4 tie, though Josh Staumont allowed an inherited runner to score. Brentz has issued three walks in 1.2 innings to open the season after a dominant spring, so it's a bit discouraging to see him having some trouble with command. The southpaw logged 15 holds and a pair of saves in 72 outings last season, so he should continue to see high-leverage work unless he gets stuck in a significant slump.

APRIL 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE