Sam Long DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Further imaging on Kansas City Royals left-hander Sam Long (elbow) on April 14 showed inflammation but no structural damage, and he was able to begin a throwing progression last Thursday. Long was placed on the 15-day injured list on April 13 with left-elbow inflammation and is expected to return in May. Whenever the 29-year-old southpaw begins throwing off a mound, he probably won't be far off from a minor-league rehab assignment. In his first seven outings of the 2025 season, Long struggled to the tune of a 12.86 ERA and 2.43 WHIP, with his elbow issues likely playing a big role. He was much better last year in his first season with KC, posting a 3.16 ERA, a 1.19 WHIP, a save, a career-high 44 strikeouts and 17 walks in 42 2/3 relief innings. Long isn't on the fantasy radar, even when he's fully healthy.

The Kansas City Royals placed left-hander Sam Long (elbow) on the 15-day injured list on Sunday with left-elbow inflammation and recalled left-hander Evan Sisk from Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move, according to MLB.com's Anne Rogers. Sisk will be making his major-league debut out of the bullpen whenever he's called upon. Long has been bad in his second season with the Royals early in 2025, giving up 12 runs (10 earned) on 12 hits (two homers) while walking five and striking out six in seven relief innings. His elbow injury could be the reason why he has struggled so much, though. The 29-year-old will be sidelined for a bit after giving up three earned runs in an inning of relief in Saturday's loss to the Cleveland Guardians. Sisk, 27, had tossed 4 2/3 scoreless innings with no walks and four K's in his six relief appearances for Triple-A before the promotion.

Kansas City Royals left-hander Sam Long (hand) returned to Cactus League action on Wednesday versus the Seattle Mariners and threw a scoreless inning while giving up one hit, walking none and striking out none. It was Long's third outing of spring training but his first since he was hit by a line drive on his left hand on March 3. The 29-year-old southpaw thankfully avoided a break in his hand and will be ready for the start of the 2025 regular season, although he's not guaranteed a spot in the Opening Day bullpen out of camp. The former 18th-round selection by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2016 out of California State University of Sacramento has four years of major-league experience and posted a career-low 3.16 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, one save, a career-high 44 strikeouts and 17 walks in 42 2/3 relief innings for KC in 2024.