Josh Staumont

Josh Staumont threw a live batting practice on Friday and is progressing like the Royals had hoped to this point as reported by MLB.com's Anne Rogers.

Fantasy Impact

Staumont is still without a timetable for his return from a neck strain that has had him sidelined since June 26. The neck strain had been lingering prior to his being placed on the 15-day IL and was causing a dip in his velocity and control issues, but he had rested for nearly two weeks prior to July 8's batting practice. Once the Royals see how he reacts to throwing again, they should be able to finally establish a timetable for Staumont's return from the IL, which is technically eligible to come off of next week, but that is obviously an extreme improbability at this point.

The Royals placed Josh Staumont on the 15-day IL on Sunday with a neck strain.

Fantasy Impact

Staumont had lingering neck tightness for a few days and it affected his velocity and command. He has three saves on the year but Scott Barlow was the preferred ninth-inning option. Staumont has a 14.7% walk rate so the chances of him having a meaningful role this year are slim at this point. Managers can move on in all formats.

Josh Staumont pitched one inning, allowing no runs on no hits and one walk to earn a hold in Kansas City's 6-0 win against the Astros on Saturday.

Fantasy Impact

Staumont produced his fourth straight scoreless appearance and eighth in his last nine. Staumont has 27 strikeouts in 20 2/3 innings this season across 22 appearances. Staumont has taken advantage of most of his opportunities this season but on the Royals wins and saves are hard to come by. If anything happens to Scott Barlow, Staumont would become the de facto closer, but for now Staumont is viable in the deepest of leagues or AL-only leagues.

Josh Staumont pitched a perfect 7th inning, striking out two, to earn the victory in Kansas City's 3-2 win against the Twins on Thursday.

Fantasy Impact

Josh Staumont mowed down Minnesota in the bottom of the 7th before the Royals scored three times in the 8th to take the lead. Staumont got back on track after allowing two runs and picking up the loss against these same Twins in his last appearance. Staumont carries a 4.08 ERA and 1.42 WHIP but he has two wins, three saves and 26 strike outs in 17 2/3 innings across 19 appearances this season. If you can absorb the ERA and WHIP, his strikeouts and win/save vulturing ability are worth it in deep leagues.

Josh Staumont pitched a perfect inning, striking out one, to close out Kansas City's 2-1 win in Game 2 against Chicago on Tuesday.

Fantasy Impact

Josh Staumont shutdown Chicago in the 9th inning of Game 2 to earn his third save of the season as the back up closer behind Scott Barlow. Despite Barlow being the primary closer, he only has one more save than Staumont, so with wins being at a premium for this 13-22 Kansas City squad, this should be considered a closer by committee situation, so Staumont's mangers should hold on to him for save and bullpen win potential for the time being.