Veteran left-handed reliever Matt Strahm, currently a free agent, reportedly underwent successful right knee surgery that should have him fully healthy in 2027. FanSided’s Robert Murray reported the news on Sunday.
After being traded from the Phillies to the Royals in December, Strahm battled knee ailments all season and knew he would eventually need surgery, according to Murray, but attempted to pitch through it.
The lefty threw 35 2/3 innings with a 7.32 ERA in 41 games for Kansas City this season. The club designated him for assignment on Aug. 4. Strahm had also gone on the injured list in May for right knee inflammation.
“Just hasn’t worked out well for him or for us,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said when Strahm was DFA’d. “The performance and where we are in the season, trying to get a look at some other guys, we just felt like this was the right time.”
Strahm, 34, made his Major League debut with the Royals in 2016 and reached the 10-year MLB service time milestone this season with the same club. Through this season’s ailments, Strahm posted a career-worst strikeout rate (18.6%) and his highest walk rate since 2022 (8.7%).
When healthy, Strahm has proven to be an effective late-inning arm. He owns a career 3.61 ERA and was an All-Star with the Phillies in 2024, a year he finished with a 1.87 ERA, three saves and 18 holds.