Stratton elected free agency Monday, per MiLB's transactions log.
Stratton will test the open market rather than accept a minor-league assignment after being designated for assignment by the Dodgers on Saturday. He's already appeared for two clubs so far this season, accruing a 7.71 ERA and 2.00 WHIP with 22 strikeouts over 21.0 innings during stops with Kansas City and Los Angeles.
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Dodgers' Chris Stratton: DFA'd again
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The Dodgers designated Stratton for assignment Saturday.
This is the second time Stratton has been designated for assignment in the past week -- he was previously DFA'd on Monday but cleared waivers and was outrighted to the minors before rejoining the big-league squad Friday. In his latest turn with the team, Stratton allowed one run in one inning against the Cardinals on Friday. Stratton's removal from the 40-man roster makes room for the activation of fellow reliever Michael Kopech (shoulder) from the 60-day IL.
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Dodgers' Chris Stratton: Joins active roster
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The Dodgers re-signed Stratton on Friday and added him to the active roster, Kirsten Watson of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.
Stratton opted for free agency after clearing waivers Thursday, per Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register, but he's now back with the team and will once again work out of the big-league bullpen, replacing Ryan Loutos. The 34-year-old Stratton owns a 7.65 ERA and 2.05 WHIP across 20 combined innings between Kansas City and Los Angeles and will most likely be reserved for low-leverage situations.
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Dodgers' Chris Stratton: Clears waivers
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Stratton was outrighted to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday.
Stratton was designated for assignment Tuesday and cleared waivers. He's struggled to a 7.65 ERA and 2.05 WHIP across 20 big-league innings this year, so it's unclear when his next chance in the majors may come.
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Dodgers' Chris Stratton: Designated for assignment
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The Dodgers designated Stratton for assignment Monday.
Stratton made two appearances during his brief stint with the Dodgers, yielding two runs in three innings. The veteran reliever is likely to pass through waivers unclaimed, and if that happens, could elect free agency.
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Dodgers' Chris Stratton: Catches on with Dodgers
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Stratton signed a one-year contract with the Dodgers on Sunday.
After getting cut loose by the Royals on Thursday, Stratton quickly found work with the Dodgers and has joined the team in New York ahead of Sunday's series finale versus the Mets. The veteran righty will likely be ticketed for a low-leverage role in the Los Angeles bullpen after he struggled to a 7.94 ERA and 2.18 WHIP in 17 innings over his 12 appearances for Kansas City prior to being cut loose.
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Royals' Chris Stratton: DFA'd by Kansas City
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The Royals designated Stratton for assignment Sunday.
Stratton exercised his $4.5 million player option for 2025 during the offseason after posting a 5.55 ERA in 57 appearances last year, and the Royals have decided to cut him loose after he gave up 15 earned runs across 17 innings to begin the current season. The right-hander seems likely to clear waivers given what remains of his salary.
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Royals' Chris Stratton: Struggles in regular-season debut
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Stratton allowed two runs on three hits and two walks with no strikeouts over 1.2 innings Sunday against Cleveland.
Stratton's season ended in mid-September due to a forearm injury, but he was healthy in spring training. He was unimpressive last season with a 5.55 ERA, 17.1 percent K rate and 12.8 percent walk rate but was a consistent part of the middle-relief corps. A slow start to the season won't help him find higher-leverage usage.
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Royals' Chris Stratton: Exercises option
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Stratton (forearm) exercised his $4.5 million player option for the 2025 season Thursday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
Stratton threw 58.1 innings out of the bullpen for the Royals in 2024, occasionally working in high-leverage situations. He posted a 5.55 ERA and 1.47 WHIP to go along with four saves and five holds. Stratton's season ended in mid-September due to forearm injury, though he is expected to be ready for the start of spring training.
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Royals' Chris Stratton: On track for start of spring
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Stratton (forearm) is expected to be healthy for the beginning of spring training, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Stratton missed the final couple weeks of the regular season and the playoffs with a right flexor strain, but he's expected to recover with an offseason of rest. The veteran reliever holds a $4.5 million player option for 2025, which he seems likely to exercise after posting a lackluster 5.55 ERA and 44:33 K:BB over 58.1 innings in 2024.
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Royals' Chris Stratton: Collects third win
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Stratton (3-3) allowed one run on two hits and struck out one over 1.2 innings to earn the win over the White Sox on Monday.
Stratton got out of Angel Zerpa's jam in the sixth inning but went on to give up an Andrew Vaughn solo home run in the seventh. The Royals then rallied from behind with a six-run eighth, giving Stratton his first win since April 23. The right-hander is at a 4.60 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 38:27 K:BB with four saves and five holds over 43 innings this season. He's played an important role in the bullpen, but Stratton's mediocre numbers make him a shaky fantasy option.
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Royals' Chris Stratton: Earns third save
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Stratton struck out one batter over 1.1 perfect innings and earned a save over the Tigers on Monday.
Stratton entered in the eighth inning with two outs and the bases jammed. He escaped the threat and retired the side in order to preserve the win. The dangerous circumstances allowed him to earn the save despite Kansas City winning 8-3, which would explain why James McArthur wasn't used. Stratton owns a 4.95 ERA with three saves and three holds through 19 appearances.
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Royals' Chris Stratton: Converts second save
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Stratton allowed two walks in a scoreless inning and earned a save over the Brewers on Monday.
Stratton forced a double play after the first walk, so he didn't face a very threatening push from Milwaukee. It was his second save of the year and first since April 6, while it's worth noting that normal closer James MacArthur was likely unavailable after pitching two innings Sunday. Stratton blew his last opportunity when he was slammed for five runs against Detroit on April 27. He is sporting a 5.40 ERA with a shaky 12:12 K:BB through 15 frames.
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Royals' Chris Stratton: Takes first loss
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Stratton (1-1) allowed two runs on a hit and four walks without striking out a batter over one inning, taking the loss Sunday versus the Mets.
Stratton lost his control Sunday, throwing just 11 of 28 pitches for strikes in the poor appearance. He's kept runs off the board in four of his six outings while also earning a save, but he has an ugly 5:7 K:BB that belies trouble ahead. The right-hander is in the high-leverage mix as one of three Royals to log a save this season, but it's fair to say he shouldn't be manager Matt Quatraro's first option in the ninth inning most of the time.
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Royals' Chris Stratton: Picks up save Saturday
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Stratton registered the save Saturday versus the White Sox, striking out one in a perfect inning.
One night after James McArthur rescued Will Smith to net a save, Royals manager Matt Quatraro turned to Stratton in the ninth up three with the top of the lineup due for the White Sox. He disposed of the side on just 12 pitches to record his first save of the season and 13th of his career. Nick Anderson got the hold in this one with a scoreless eighth inning, although he had to pitch around a double and a walk. The Kansas City bullpen situation could continue to be a headache for fantasy managers to figure out. Stratton has thrown his hat in the ring, but he's one of maybe five options Quatraro could potentially look to when the next save opportunity arises.
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Royals' Chris Stratton: Nabs win Friday
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Stratton (1-0) earned the win Friday over the White Sox, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out one over one scoreless inning.
Stratton worked the top of the eighth inning, and the Royals broke a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the frame. The right-hander allowed two runs in his season debut March 28 versus the Twins, but he's bounced back with a pair of scoreless outings. The Royals' bullpen roles remain unsettled, but Stratton is still far down the pecking order for save chances even with Will Smith struggling out of the gate.
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Royals' Chris Stratton: Heading to Royals
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Stratton signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Royals on Tuesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
The deal also includes a $4.5 million player option for 2025, per Rogers. Stratton operated as a multi-inning reliever for the Cardinals and Rangers in 2023 and posted a combined 3.92 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 81:25 K:BB across 82.2 regular-season innings. He'll likely reprise that sort of bullpen workhorse role with Kansas City.
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Rangers' Chris Stratton: Shipped to Texas
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The Rangers acquired Stratton and left-hander Jordan Montgomery from the Cardinals on Sunday in exchange for left-hander John King, infielder Thomas Saggese and right-hander Tekoah Roby, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Stratton is the secondary piece in the deal for the Rangers, who will fortify their rotation with the addition of Montgomery. Meanwhile, Stratton should work as a setup man in Texas, likely settling in behind closer Will Smith and Aroldis Chapman in the bullpen hierarchy. Playing under a $2.8 million salary in his final year of arbitration, Stratton has produced a 4.36 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 59:17 K:BB in 53.2 innings with St. Louis. He'll likely set himself up for a nice pay raise in free agency this winter if he can finish the season on a high note with his new club.
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Cardinals' Chris Stratton: Notches first save
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Stratton picked up the save in Wednesday's 6-4 victory over the Marlins, allowing a run on two hits while logging a strikeout over an inning of work.
The Cardinals turned to Stratton to protect a three-run lead in the ninth inning, with Jordan Hicks and Giovanny Gallegos both having pitched in consecutive games. Stratton allowed a run on a Luis Arraez double before coaxing a flyout from Jorge Soler to earn his first save this season. The 32-year-old Stratton has a 4.17 ERA with a 1.11 WHIP and 53:13 K:BB across 49.2 innings this year. Stratton could be a name to watch if the Cardinals elect to move some relief pitching at the trade deadline, though Ryan Helsley (forearm) looms as another obstacle to saves down the road.
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Cardinals' Chris Stratton: Stuck with loss Monday
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Stratton (1-1) allowed a run on three hits over one inning, taking the loss Monday versus the Giants.
Stratton has been scored on in four of his last 10 outings, yielding nine runs over 13.1 innings in that span. He's added a 15:5 K:BB over those appearances. For the season, he has a passable 3.93 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 39:8 K:BB over 36.2 innings in a middle-relief role. His inconsistency of late makes it unlikely that he'll get many late-inning looks even with Ryan Helsley (forearm) on the injured list.
