Cox allowed one run on three hits while retiring one batter (on a strikeout) Saturday against the Reds before the game was suspended due to inclement weather.
Cox was pressed into starting duties after Spencer Strider was scratched due to a weather delay that lasted well over an hour. Cox tossed 17 pitches in the rain in the first frame before the game was halted and ultimately suspended. Atlanta reportedly was set for a bullpen game, so Cox's outing wasn't likely to last much longer even if the contest had continued. The matchup is scheduled to resume Sunday afternoon and Cox is eligible to return to the mound, but it's unlikely Atlanta will send him back out.
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Braves' Austin Cox: Working as opener Saturday
Rotowire
Cox will open Saturday's game against the Reds after Spencer Strider was scratched due to a weather delay, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Strider had already completed most or all of his warmup before the delay -- which lasted well over an hour -- was announced, so Atlanta decided not to put the star hurler on the mound. Cox will instead open what's slated to be a bullpen game. The lefty hasn't tossed more than two innings in any big-league appearance this season, though he did go 3.2 frames and throw 60 pitches in a start with Triple-A Gwinnett the last time he was on the mound (July 24). Therefore, he's well-rested and stretched out enough to handle a few frames if Atlanta opts for that approach.
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Braves' Austin Cox: Back in majors
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Atlanta recalled Cox from Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday.
The left-hander has spent the past couple weeks in the minors but is back with Atlanta ahead of Friday's game in Cincinnati. Cox has made six MLB appearances this year and has allowed two earned runs with an 11:1 K:BB over eight innings.
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Braves' Austin Cox: Sent back to Triple-A
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Atlanta optioned Cox to Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday.
Cox's latest stint with the big club lasted just under two weeks. He made four relief appearances following his July 2 call-up from Gwinnett, giving up one earned run on four hits and one walk over five innings. Cox will cede his spot on the active roster to right-hander Davis Daniel, who was recalled from Triple-A to either start or pitch in bulk relief Sunday in St. Louis.
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Braves' Austin Cox: Called up Saturday
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Atlanta recalled Cox from Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday.
In a somewhat surprising move, Atlanta DFA'd veteran reliver Craig Kimbrel -- who had just been called up Friday -- in order to make room on the roster for Cox. The latter signed with Atlanta in early May after beginning the campaign in Kansas City's system. Cox hasn't pitched in the majors since 2023, and in eight games with Gwinnett after joining Atlanta's organization, he posted a 4.22 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 8:3 K:BB over 10.2 innings. He's likely to fill a low-leverage role in Atlanta's bullpen.
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Braves' Austin Cox: Signs with Atlanta
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Cox and Atlanta agreed on a major-league contract Sunday and was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.
Cox was released by the Royals on Sunday, but he quickly found a new home with Atlanta. The left-hander produced a 3.55 ERA and 1.39 WHIP with 18 strikeouts over 12.2 innings in 11 relief appearances with Triple-A Omaha this season. Cox last pitched in the big leagues in 2023, compiling a 4.54 ERA while striking out 33 batters over 35.2 innings in 24 appearances with Kansas City.
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Royals' Austin Cox: Re-ups with Kansas City
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The Royals re-signed Cox to a minor-league contract Thursday.
Cox spent the entirety of the 2024 season in the minors, posting a 3.86 ERA and 65:40 K:BB over 60.2 frames between Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha. The left-hander appeared in 24 games with the Royals in 2023, collecting a 4.54 ERA and 33:17 K:BB in 35.2 innings. Cox is likely to begin the 2025 season in the bullpen at Omaha.
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Royals' Austin Cox: Back with Kansas City on MiLB deal
Rotowire
The Royals re-signed Cox to a minor-league contract Tuesday.
Cox opted out of his minor-league contract with Kansas City last week but has ultimately returned on a re-worked deal. The left-handed reliever holds a 4.03 ERA and 29:17 K:BB in 29 innings with Triple-A Omaha this season.
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Austin Cox: Becomes free agent
Rotowire
Cox opted out of his minor-league deal with the Royals to become a free agent Thursday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
Cox has pitched primarily with Triple-A Omaha this season, posting an underwhelming 4.03 ERA and 1.62 WHIP with a 29:17 K:BB in 29 innings. He put together some relatively effective innings in the majors in 2023 and could contribute to a big-league bullpen for the last few months of the season.
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Royals' Austin Cox: Designated for assignment
Rotowire
The Royals designated Cox (knee) for assignment Friday.
In order to make room for the acquisition of Nick Anderson from Atlanta, Cox will be booted from the 40-man roster and placed on the waiver wire. Cox put up a 4.54 ERA and 1.26 WHIP through 35.2 innings with the Royals in 2023, but he could be at risk of missing the start of the 2024 campaign after tearing his left ACL and damaging his MCL in September.
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Royals' Austin Cox: Diagnosed with full ACL tear
Rotowire
Cox was diagnosed Tuesday with a full ACL tear as well as damage to the MCL in his left knee, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Cox suffered the knee injury Friday, when he was hit by a comebacker and stumbled awkwardly to the ground. He will receive a second opinion, but the Royals fully expect that he'll require surgery. It's not known at this point how long his rehab process will take, but Cox could be sidelined for the start of the 2024 campaign.
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Royals' Austin Cox: Leaves game with leg injury
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Cox left Friday's game against the Blue Jays with an apparent leg injury, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.
Making a relief appearance in the bottom of the seventh inning, Cox was struck by an Alejandro Kirk comebacker and went down in pain as he tried to cover first base. He was unable to walk off the field without assistance, suggesting the injury could be season-ending, but Cox's status should become clearer after he's sent for testing.
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Royals' Austin Cox: Optioned to Triple-A
Rotowire
Cox was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.
The move comes a day after Cox allowed three runs over 4.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Twins. Cox had pitched well in relief for the Royals but was ineffective in both starts with the big club. It's not clear whether he'll be used in the rotation or bullpen at Omaha.
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Royals' Austin Cox: Falters again in starting role
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Cox allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out four batters over 4.2 innings in a no-decision against Minnesota on Monday.
Cox fared a little better than in his first MLB start last Wednesday, when he yielded four runs over 3.2 frames against Cleveland. However, the southpaw allowed a lot of traffic on the basepaths and wasn't able to record a single 1-2-3 inning. Cox was yanked after 4.2 frames having thrown 81 pitches (53 for a strike), and he's going to need to be able to go deeper into contests in order to be a viable starter. It remains to be seen if the Royals will keep in the rotation or move him back to the bullpen, where he thrived with 12.1 scoreless innings to begin his big-league career.
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Royals' Austin Cox: Drawing another start
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Cox is scheduled to start Monday's game in Minnesota, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
After opening his big-league career with 12.1 scoreless innings out of the bullpen, Cox was moved into the rotation last week. He couldn't keep the momentum going in a starting role, as he lasted just 3.2 innings in his first career start while giving up four earned runs on four hits and four walks en route to taking a loss to the Guardians. Despite the poor showing, Cox will get another chance to start against a divisional opponent, though he may need to show improvement Monday to stick as the team's fifth starter over Alec Marsh coming out of the All-Star break.
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Royals' Austin Cox: Takes loss in first start
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Cox (0-1) took the loss against Cleveland on Wednesday, allowing four runs on four hits and four walks while striking out two batters over 3.2 innings.
Cox was magnificent in his first six major-league appearances (all out of the bullpen), posting 12.1 scoreless innings with a 13:4 K:BB. The scoreless streak continued for two frames in his first start Wednesday, but Jose Ramirez put an end to it with a grand slam in the third. Cox retired five of the next seven batters before being pulled with two outs in the fourth. Control was a problem for him in the outing, as he threw just 39 of 68 pitches for a strike and walked four. The last-place Royals could keep in the rotation to see if he's able to improve upon his poor first start, though his minor-league numbers don't inspire confidence that he's ready to be a reliable big-league arm.
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Royals' Austin Cox: Back in minors
Rotowire
Cox was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Friday.
Cox did well in his major-league debut Thursday, allowing just one man to reach base over two scoreless frames. He's performed well in Triple-A as well (2.21 ERA, 1.29 WHIP), so it wouldn't be surprising to see him return to Kansas City at some point this season. Jonathan Heasley was promoted to the Royals to take Cox's roster spot.
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Royals' Austin Cox: Summoned from Triple-A
Rotowire
The Royals selected Cox's contract from Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday.
Cox will be making his MLB debut the first time he makes an appearance out of the Kansas City bullpen. The 26-year-old left-hander had posted a 2.21 ERA and 22:11 K:BB through 20.1 innings (four starts, one relief appearance) this season at Omaha.
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Royals' Austin Cox: Building up in extended ST
Rotowire
Cox (not injury related) is being held back in extended spring training as he builds up before joining an affiliate in mid-May, Sam Dykstra of MLB.com reports.
It's possible Cox was delayed by COVID protocols or that the Royals are simply slow playing his buildup to manage his innings on the year. Cox will likely head to High-A or Double-A.
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Royals' Austin Cox: Joining major-league camp
Rotowire
Cox received an invitation Friday to join the Royals' big-league camp.
Cox got to stay close to the major-league team as part of the Royals' 60-man player pool last season and will now get to work with the organization's big-league coaches this spring. He's impressed so far in his professional career, riding a 26.6 percent strikeout rate and 7.8 percent walk rate to a 2.96 ERA in 164 innings, though none of those innings have come above High-A. He'll likely need some time in the upper minors before pushing for his MLB debut.
