Austin Cox Fantasy Stats

Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Austin Cox will serve as the opener for Saturday's game against the Cincinnati Reds. Originally, Spencer Strider was supposed to take the ball, but the game was delayed for over an hour due to rain. That being said, the Braves have decided to save Strider's arm and go bullpen-game on Saturday. It's unclear who is going to get the ball after Cox goes an inning or so. Fantasy managers should adjust their lineups with the shakeup in starters. Cox isn't a recommended streaming option for this one.

The Kansas City Royals announced on Thursday that they re-signed left-hander Austin Cox to a minor-league deal. Cox will return to the Royals after he went 3-1 with a 3.86 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 65 strikeouts and 40 walks in 60 2/3 innings over 42 appearances (five starts) for Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha in the minors in 2024. The 27-year-old southpaw was drafted by the Royals in the fifth round back in 2018 out of Mercer University. He made his major-league debut with Kansas City in 2023 and made 24 appearances (three starts), finishing with a 4.54 ERA (3.73 FIP), a 1.26 WHIP, his first career save and a 33:17 K:BB in 35 2/3 innings pitched. Cox is most likely to open the 2025 campaign back at Omaha while giving the Royals some left-handed pitching depth out of the bullpen.

The Kansas City Royals will use rookie left-hander Austin Cox as their opener on Thursday against the Boston Red Sox, with rookie right-hander Alec Marsh serving as the bulk reliever. Cox will be making only his 16th major-league appearance in Thursday's series finale. The 26-year-old recently picked up his first career save and will now make his third career "start." In his 27 2/3 innings, Cox has allowed 11 earned runs on 18 hits while walking 14 and striking out 23. He'll only be in the game for a few innings, at most, so he's not an option as a fantasy streamer. Marsh, meanwhile, is still looking for his first win of the year in seven outings (six starts). The 25-year-old has given up 22 runs (21 earned) on 30 hits (10 homers) while walking 17 and fanning 32 in his first 28 big-league innings. Fantasy managers should also avoid him.

Kansas City Royals southpaw Austin Cox will make Wednesday's start against Logan Allen and the Cleveland Guardians, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports. The rookie hurler has pitched 12.1 innings so far this season, all out of the bullpen, and has yet to give up a run while striking out 13 and walking four. Cox has experience as a starting pitcher and started eight games this year for Triple-A. Fantasy managers looking for rotation help may want to take a chance on the 26-year-old and hope he stays hot, especially against a lowly Guardians lineup.