Wade Davis to the disabled list, Matt Strahm up

The Royals have placed reliever Wade Davis on the 15-day disabled list with a flexor strain and have called up left-handed pitcher Matthew Strahm from AA Northwest Arkansas. Davis spent an earlier stint on the disabled list with a forearm strain and was sent back to Kansas City for an MRI before last night’s game. Davis had a 1.60 ERA in 33 2/3 innings this year, but had not looked right since coming off the disabled list and was uncharacteristically wild on Wednesday night against the Angels, walking three and giving up two hits in an inning of work.

Matthew Strahm was a 21st round pick by the Royals in 2012 out of nearby Neosho Community College. He missed the entire 2013 season due to Tommy John surgery but has risen steadily through the system since then, posting a 2.78 ERA in 68 innings for Wilmington before being promoted to the Naturals and posting a 3.43 ERA in 102 1/3 innings in AA. The lefty has struck out nearly 11 per-nine-innings in the minor leagues and impressed coaches in Major League camp in spring training this year. The Royals recently moved the 24-year old to relief work in anticipation of calling him up to the big league club.

The Royals have not announced a timetable for Davis’ return. They hold a $10 million club option on Wade Davis for 2017 with a $2.5 million buyout. Davis had been the subject of many trade rumors this month, but with him on the shelf he will almost certainly not be dealt this summer.

Ned Yost says grade 1 flexor strain for Wade Davis. Same as last time. Hope could be back after 15 days.

— Joel Goldberg (@goldbergkc) July 31, 2016