35 Greg Holland RP

Holland signed a minor-league deal Tuesday with the Royals that includes an invitation to major-league camp, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

The veteran right-hander joined the Nationals on a minor-league deal in August but never ended up making his way to the majors. Holland posted a 4.54 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 41:24 K:BB over 35.2 innings while converting 17 of 22 save opportunities with the Diamondbacks prior to being released in August. The 34-year-old was dominant over his six years in Kansas City, but he's endured up-and-down production pitching elsewhere over the last three seasons. Regardless, a solid showing in spring training would likely secure Holland an Opening Day roster spot given the Royals' lack of established bullpen options.

Holland signed a minor-league contract with the Nationals on Monday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Holland was cut loose by the Diamondbacks on Sunday, but his time on the open market didn't last long. He'll likely head to Triple-A Fresno after latching on with Washington, and despite his struggles in the majors with Arizona this season (4.54 ERA over 35.2 innings), he could surface in the big leagues as bullpen depth come September.

The Diamondbacks released Holland on Sunday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Holland was designated for assignment on Aug. 7. Arizona's one-time closer -- he was removed from that role in late July -- becomes a free agent. He could resurface as a high-leverage reliever in a contender's bullpen.

Holland was designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, Robert Murray of The Athletic reports.

Holland was removed from the closer's role at the end of July, and he's subsequently allowed five runs while posting a 1:3 K:BB across 2.1 innings. As such, the Diamondbacks decided to part ways with the veteran right-hander, who owns an unsightly 9.00 ERA, 1.93 WHIP and 13:14 K:BB over his past 19 appearances (15 innings). Holland has plenty of experience as a high-leverage reliever, so he could draw some interest on waivers despite his recent struggles.

Holland allowed four runs on three hits and one walk over a third of an inning in Monday's 11-6 loss to the Marlins.

Holland walked the first batter before giving up three straight hits followed by a sacrifice fly. This was his first outing since losing the closer's role. He entered with the Diamondbacks down by three runs in the seventh inning, which gives an indication of manager Torey Lovullo's confidence in Holland.

Manager Torey Lovullo said Sunday that Holland is being removed from the closer's role, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Holland allowed two runs and recorded only one out in Friday's blown save, and the Diamondbacks' skipper is deciding to look elsewhere for the ninth inning after taking a day to consider his options. Holland had a strong start to the season with a 1.31 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in his first 21 outings, but in his last 16 appearances he's allowed 10 runs and is 8-for-12 in save opportunities. It could be a temporary demotion if the veteran right-hander gets back on track in a lower-leverage role. Yoan Lopez, Archie Bradley and Yoshihisa Hirano are all options to see closing chances in his place, though Lovullo indicated he'll may play matchups for now.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo has not made a decision about Holland staying on as the team's closer, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Lovullo said he and his staff were going to discuss Holland's status following a blown save Friday -- his third in July -- but he opted to give Holland the day off Saturday before deciding Sunday whether to make a change at closer. "I had a brief conversation with (Holland)," Lovullo said. "I just told him I'm going to give him the day off. ... I just thought to let him recharge his batteries and build a little momentum from a mental standpoint. And we'll figure it out tomorrow." Arizona did not need a closer Saturday in a 9-2 win over Miami. Over Holland's last 10 outings, he's allowed seven earned runs on nine hits (two home runs) and eight walks in 7.1 innings. Yoan Lopez and Yoshihisa Hirano would be in the running to take over if the club makes a change.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said his staff will discuss Holland's role after the closer blew his third save in July on Friday, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Holland walked a batter and gave up two hits, leading to two runs in Miami's walkoff win. As it is, with the Diamondbacks treading water at 52-52 and looking like a dealer at the trade deadline, Holland's role as a closer is already tenuous. His recent performance only adds to the notion that Arizona is considering replacement options. Yoshihisa Hirano and Yoan Lopez would seem to be the most logical candidates to replace Holland.

Holland (1-2) gave up two runs on two hits and a walk over one-third of an inning Friday to blow his fifth save of the season and take the loss as the Diamondbacks fell 3-2 to the Marlins.

The lone out Holland recorded came on Jorge Alfaro's game-tying sacrifice fly -- in fact, all three runs Miami scored came on sac flies. The veteran closer is now 5-for-8 on save chances in July with an 8.53 ERA and 8:8 K:BB through 6.1 innings, and his hold on the job remains tenuous.

Holland was lifted from a save chance Wednesday, but manager Torey Lovullo said afterward that Holland did not appear to be hurt, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

After walking the first two batters he faced in the ninth inning, Holland was pulled in favor of Yoan Lopez, who went on to nail down the win for Arizona. Lovullo later acknowledged that Holland's command was off and his velocity was down, but the Diamondbacks seem confident that it was just an off night and not something health-related. While Holland appeared to be on the verge of losing his job in early July, he bounced back and was 5-for-5 in save chances with a 1.80 ERA in his last five appearances prior to Wednesday.

Holland picked up the save against the Orioles on Monday, working around one hit to toss a scoreless ninth inning and close out a 6-3 victory for the Diamondbacks. He struck out two and walked none.

The veteran has now converted five straight save opportunities after blowing two in a row, giving up just one earned run and striking out eight batters over that stretch. He's sporting a 3.00 ERA, a 1.15 WHIP and a 40:18 K:BB over 33 innings and remains the top ninth-inning option in the Arizona bullpen.

Holland earned the save against the Brewers on Friday after tossing a perfect inning with one strikeout.

Holland came into the ninth inning to protect a 10-7 lead and retired the side with ease, striking out Lorenzo Cain and getting both Christian Yelich and Yasmani Grandal on grounders. The 33-year-old has converted his last four save attempts. Over 34 appearances, Holland has 16 saves with a 3.09 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 38:18 K:BB.

Holland walked one and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his 15th save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Cardinals.

Facing the team he began last season with, Holland issued a two-out walk to Matt Wieters before fanning Kolten Wong to end things. The veteran closer stumbled into the All-Star break having been scored upon in four of his last five appearances, but Holland still sports a respectable 3.19 ERA and 37:18 K:BB through 31 innings on the year.

Holland earned a three-out save against Colorado on Sunday, giving up a solo home run and striking out one batter.

Holland inherited a three-run lead and quickly served up a home run to Trevor Story leading off the ninth inning. He avoided further damage, however, and emerged with his 14th save after striking out Ian Desmond to end the game. Holland has been anything but steady of late, blowing three of his last seven save opportunities and allowing six runs over 5.1 innings in those appearances but appears to have manager Torey Lovullo's trust as Arizona's best option to close games entering the break.

Holland allowed two hits and struck out one but locked down his 13th save in a 4-2 win over the Rockies on Saturday.

Holland had blown saves in his previous two outings entering Saturday's contest, but he was able to protect a two-run lead this time. He's converted 13-of-17 save chances this year, pitching to a 3.10 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in 29 innings. Holland is likely not out of the woods yet, but he's still seen as the Diamondbacks' closer going forward despite his recent struggles.

Manager Torey Lovullo said Friday that he's going to stick with Holland as his closer, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

The skipper believes Holland is good at putting poor performances behind him, so he's not going to move away from the veteran after back-to-back blown saves. This vote of confidence is nice, but Holland's leash is undoubtedly shorter and another blown save or two in the near future could result in a role change. Yoshihisa Hirano, Yoan Lopez and Andrew Chafin are the top candidates to step in if Holland is eventually relieved of the job.

Holland blew a second straight save opportunity Wednesday, allowing a run on two hits while striking out one over a third of an inning in a 5-4 loss to the Dodgers.

Manager Torey Lovullo did not shy away from Holland, who walked four consecutive batters to cough up a one-run lead the previous night. Wednesday's failure wasn't as epic as Tuesday's meltdown, but the manager, who defended Holland after Tuesday's game, was less hesitant to give a vote of confidence Wednesday. "I'm in an emotional state right now," Lovullo said. "I want to probably think through it with a clear head. I am concerned. I have to pay attention to things like that." If Lovullo were to make a change, the two most likely candidates to replace Holland are rookie Yoan Lopez and veteran Yoshihisa Hirano.

Holland (1-1) was charged with the blown save and took the loss against the Dodgers on Tuesday, pitching two-thirds of an inning and giving up two runs on four walks.

Summoned in the ninth inning to protect a one-run lead, Holland appeared to be in command after retiring the first two batters he faced. His outing suddenly unraveled, however, as he inexplicably walked the next four batters to force in the tying run. He was then pulled from the game and forced to watch his replacement walk yet another batter to hand the Dodgers a win. Though he has been mostly effective in the closer role this season, converting 12 of 15 save opportunities while posting a 2.93 ERA, Holland's wildness figured to catch up to him eventually -- he has now issued 17 walks in 27.2 innings of work.

Holland allowed one run on one hit and struck out two to earn the save in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Giants.

Holland picked up his 12th save and second of the week but was not a consideration entering the ninth inning with the Diamondbacks up 4-0. He came on after the first two men reached base and was greeted by Stephen Vogt, who jumped on his second pitch for a three-run homer. It was his fourth home run allowed in 27 innings (1.3 HR/9). The right-hander's results have been good, but he's had to avoid potential trouble. His 2.33 ERA looks less impressive next to a 4.17 FIP and 4.3 BB/9.

Holland picked up a one-out save against the Dodgers on Monday, striking out the only batter he faced to close out Arizona's 8-5 victory.

It was a milestone moment for the veteran right-hander, as he entered the game with two outs in the ninth inning and struck out Russell Martin to pick up his 11th save of the season and 200th of his career. Holland has a 2.16 ERA, a 1.00 WHIP and a 30:12 K:BB over 25 innings and remains the top ninth-inning option in Arizona's bullpen.