Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Brandon Maurer has been on quite the run recently. After throwing a shutout inning against the Blue Jays on Thursday, Maurer has now thrown clean innings in seven of his last eight appearances. Dating back to July 28, Maurer has eight innings pitched while only allowing five hits and one earned run. Sure, he's walked an astounding seven batters while striking out 10 in that time, but if an owner is truly desperate for the smallest amount of relief, Maurer might actually have a little bit of value. However, it's a very little bit since he still plays for the Royals and has only picked up a single hold in that stretch as well.
Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Brandon Maurer continues to reinforce the belief that his 14.25 ERA isn't a mistake. Maurer blew the save opportunity on Monday night by giving up a single and a pair of doubles to open the ninth inning. Tasked with closing the game because closer Wily Peralta had worked three straight games and given a two-run lead, Maurer's antics tied the game and left the winning run on second before he was replaced by Jason Hammel. Hammel promptly allowed that run to score, hanging the loss on Maurer. Maurer has now given up nine earned runs in his last two innings pitched. He should not be owned because he is a terrible major league pitcher.
Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Brandon Maurer was sent to Triple-A back in April after he was terrible to start the season. He was carrying an ERA over 12, so it made sense. After he posted a bad 5.48 ERA at Triple-A, he was recalled in mid-June. In nine appearances since his promotion, he's posted an ERA of...12.27. Monday, he allowed an insurance run for Minnesota just to make sure the game was in the bag. Since he wasn't any good at Triple-A, it's not clear why he went up to the majors instead of down to Double-A, but either way, he certainly shouldn't be owned by anyone. Not even the Royals.
The Kansas City Royals have recalled relief pitcher Brandon Maurer from Triple-A Omaha. Maurer was demoted after an atrocious start to the season, and he was initially terrible at Triple-A as well. Recently, he seems to have found his stride though, as he's recorded scoreless outings in 10 of his last 11 appearances. Maurer will replace Jason Adam in middle relief.
Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Brandon Maurer got his chance to shut down Japanese phenom Shohei Ohtani in a big situation, and instead he served up a meatball on Thursday. Maurer gave up a bases-clearing triple to Ohtani that put the game out of reach, and afterward, he was quickly demoted to Triple-A Omaha in exchange for Kevin McCarthy. Maurer was a popular target for some fantasy owners as a possible handcuff for Kelvin Herrera, but after surrendering runs in three of his five appearances this season, he'll need to be removed from the fantasy landscape for the time being.
Kansas City Royals reliever Brandon Maurer took the loss after he surrendered a two-run shot to Yan Gomes on Sunday. Maurer gave up the homer in the bottom of the ninth inning while the game was tied at one apiece. It makes the second straight bad outing for Maurer, a reliever that was considered an intriguing option on the free-agent market during the offseason. While he had a rough year last season, his checkered history led some to believe he could be in the running for saves if Kelvin Herrera faltered again. Unfortunately, that won't be an option with how he's currently pitching.
Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Brandon Maurer lost his salary arbitration case and will make $2.95 million this year instead of the $3.5 million he requested. Maurer was effective in the ninth-inning role with the Padres early last year, but he struggled mightily in a setup role after being traded to the Royals in the second half. He'll enter 2018 as the setup man to Kelvin Herrera, severely limiting his fantasy value. Maurer will strictly be a handcuff to those that select Herrera as their closer.
Brandon Maurer's Arbitration Hearing Set For Thursday
Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Brandon Maurer's salary arbitration hearing is scheduled for Thursday. He is asking for $3.5 million, while the Royals countered at $2.95 million. The Royals have never gone to an arbitration hearing under general manager Dayton Moore. Maurer had 20 saves with the Padres in 2017 before being traded to KC, where he struggled to an 8.10 ERA. At best, Maurer is a handcuff to Kelvin Herrera owners in deep leagues.
Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Brandon Maurer requested $3.5 million and was offered $2.95 million by the Royals when arbitration figures were exchanged on Friday. Maurer is arbitration-eligible for the second time. He made $1.9 million in 2017 while going 3-6 with a 6.52 ERA. Maurer managed 22 saves despite the poor ERA and struck out 59 batters in 59 1/3 innings. He was traded from the Padres to the Royals in late July.
Padres Deal Trevor Cahill and Brandon Maurer to Kansas City
The Padres dealt a trio of pitchers to Kansas City on Monday, ending much speculation about their landing spot. Closer Brandon Maurer, reliever Ryan Buchter, and starter Trevor Cahill will be on the way to the Royals in exchange for Matt Strahm, Travis Wood, and Esteury Ruiz. There could be more movement on the way, as Brad Hand is still on the block. Strahm could fill in for Cahill in the rotation or serve as a short reliever, but it will have to be next year as he recently underwent season-ending knee surgery. He is the most likely to have fantasy value in NL-only leagues while Travis Wood will look to rebound from a disappointing 2017 where he's posted a 6.91 ERA.