35 Greg Holland RP

Holland (oblique) and the Royals agreed to a one-year, $2.75 million contract Monday.

The deal contains an additional $1.5 million worth of incentives. The 35-year-old had a bounceback season in his return to Kansas City last year, cruising to a 1.91 ERA in 28.1 innings while saving six games, marking the fourth time he'd finished a season with an ERA below 2.00, something he accomplished in 2011, 2013 and 2014. He suffered an oblique strain in late September, but the Royals are seemingly not too worried about that issue carrying over into next season. The veteran will likely get the chance to add to his 212 career saves in 2021, though Josh Staumont and Scott Barlow could also lay claim to ninth-inning opportunities.

Holland (oblique) was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right oblique strain Friday.

Holland suffered his oblique injury while warming up to enter the game Thursday, and he'll be sidelined for the final three games of the regular season as a result. Ian Kennedy was called up in a corresponding move, but Scott Barlow and Josh Staumont could be candidates to serve as the closer over the final series of the year. During his return to the Royals this year, Holland posted a 1.91 ERA and 0.95 WHIP over 28.1 innings.

Holland did not pitch in Thursday's win over the Tigers because of a right oblique injury, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander was warming up to enter the game when the oblique issue flared up. The extent of the injury is not yet known, but given the nature of most oblique issues, his season could very well be over.

Holland allowed one hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning Monday, earning a save in the win over St. Louis.

Holland allowed a leadoff single to Yadier Molina but made quick work of the next three batters, needing just 10 pitches to retire the 6-7-8 hitters. The 34-year-old picked up his sixth save of the season and his first in over a week. Holland now owns a strong 1.91 ERA in 28.1 innings.

Holland struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Saturday against the Pirates to pick up his fifth save of the season.

Holland now has three saves and a win in the last five days and is likely going to win some fantasy leagues for managers down the stretch. He has pitched four of the last five days and each of the last two, so he is likely unavailable Sunday.

Holland struck out two in a perfect ninth inning to secure a 4-3 win over the Pirates on Friday.

Holland logged his fourth save of the year. After having an ERA above 3.60 for the past four seasons, Holland continues his revival by lowering his 2020 ERA to 2.22 over 24.1 innings.

Holland recorded the save Wednesday against the Indians by allowing one hit with one strikeout and zero walks in a scoreless ninth inning.

The veteran right-hander gave up a two-out triple to Delino DeShields, but he was able to record the final out without surrendering the shutout. Holland has a 2.31 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 25:7 K:BB while converting all three save opportunities in a rebound season.

Holland allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save in Monday's 2-1 win over Cleveland.

The Royals took the lead in the eighth inning, and Holland made it stand with a fairly clean outing. Holland has a 2.84 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 18 strikeouts across 19 innings to go with two saves and two holds. With Trevor Rosenthal shipped to San Diego and Ian Kennedy battling a calf injury, Holland should see most of the save chances in the near future. Scott Barlow is also in the closing mix -- he allowed two hits in a scoreless eighth inning and earned the win Monday.

Holland issued a walk and allowed a hit but recorded the final two outs of the sixth inning Saturday against the Twins to earn his first hold of the season.

Holland earned the Royals' first save of the season back on July 25. "There's just something about having been there, done that," manager Mike Matheny told Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com at the time. "He has so much to teach the guys down in that 'pen. He was fun to watch. He gets in those spots and he doesn't vibrate." Trevor Rosenthal has received all three save chances since then and has converted all three, so while Holland is among Matheny's most trusted options, he is clearly behind Rosenthal for save chances at this point. Matheny's familiarity with Rosenthal was likely the prevailing factor.

Holland struck out the side in the 10th inning of Saturday's win over Cleveland to secure his first save of the season.

Ian Kennedy pitched the sixth and seventh innings in a tie game before turning things over to Trevor Rosenthal for the eighth. Rosenthal and Scott Barlow kept Cleveland off the scoreboard, leaving Holland to secure the save after the Royals pulled ahead in the top of the 10th. Mike Matheny is an old-school manager and Holland has 207 career saves, 146 of those earned in a Royals uniform. We may have seen a changing of the guard in Kansas City.

Holland was added to the Royals' 30-man roster Thursday, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

This isn't all too surprising, as Holland was on track to break camp with the club before spring training was shut down. The veteran reliever figures to work in a mid- to high-leverage role during the shortened 2020 season.

Holland will be a part of the Royals' 60-man player pool this season, Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes reports.

Holland has yet to be added to the Royals' 40-man roster, but he was in line to make the club before spring training was shut down. He gave up three runs on five hits and one walk while striking out eight in six innings this spring and should work in a mid- to high-leverage role this summer.

Holland was outperformed by Trevor Rosenthal in camp, which is why Rosenthal was added to the 40-man roster while Holland remains on an NRI deal, according to general manager Dayton Moore, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Moore notes that while Holland performed well, the front office agreed that Rosenthal was the one who had clearly earned a roster spot. Holland gave up three runs on five hits and one walk while striking out eight in six innings this spring, which equates to a 4.50 ERA and 1.00 WHIP. He will likely make the club as well, especially with expanded rosters, but despite his history with the franchise (145 saves from 2010-15) Holland likely won't be the next man up in the ninth inning if Ian Kennedy falters.

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.