Austin Cox - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Back with Kansas City on MiLB deal The Royals re-signed Cox to a minor-league contract Tuesday.

Impact 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.

JULY 19 • ROTOWIRE

Becomes free agent Cox opted out of his minor-league deal to become a free agent Thursday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Impact 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.

JULY 12 • ROTOWIRE

Diagnosed with full ACL tear Cox has been diagnosed with a full ACL tear as well as damage to the MCL in his left knee, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Impact Cox was injured last Friday when he was hit by a comebacker and stumbled awkwardly. He will receive a second opinion, but the full expectation is that he will require surgery. It's not known at this point how long the rehab will take, but it's possible it will drag into next season.

SEPTEMBER 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Season over due to sprained knee Cox was placed on the 60-day injured list with a sprained left knee Saturday.

Impact Cox suffered the injury while running to cover first base after getting hit by a comebacker Friday against Toronto. It's unclear whether the injury would be serious enough to send him to the 60-day injured list under normal circumstances, but given the timing, it will bring a premature end to the lefty's season. He'll finish his rookie season having recorded a 4.79 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and one save in 35.2 innings.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Undergoing tests on knee Cox will undergo tests on his left knee following his departure from Friday's game against the Blue Jays, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.

Impact Cox tumbled over in serious pain in the seventh inning after he got hit by an Alejandro Kirk comebacker and took several awkward-looking steps while rushing to cover first base. The 26-year-old reliever damaged his left knee somewhere along the way and could be in danger of missing the remainder of the 2023 campaign. It looked like a fairly severe injury.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Leaves game with leg injury Cox left Friday's game against the Blue Jays with an apparent leg injury, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.

Impact 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 and is likely headed for tests.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gets hold, but cedes two runs Cox retired one batter and picked up his third hold of the season but was charged with two earned runs on two walks in Monday's 7-6 win over the Royals.

Impact Cox appeared poised to pick up a save chance Monday, as he entered the game in the top of the ninth with the Royals holding a 5-4 lead. After issuing a leadoff walk, Cox was able to induce a groundout, but was then pulled from the game after walking the next batter he faced. Nick Wittgren came on with one out and two on and wasn't able to protect the Royals' 5-4 lead, but he ended up scooping up the backdoor win after Kansas City broke through for two runs in the bottom of the ninth. With all three of the Royals' high-leverage relievers in Cox, Wittgren and Carlos Hernandez (two outs recorded, two earned runs allowed) struggling Tuesday, the team's closing situation would still appear to be highly unsettled in the wake of Scott Barlow being dealt to the Padres on Aug. 1.

AUGUST 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Serving as opener Thursday Cox will start Thursday's game against the Red Sox, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Impact Nearly a week after earning his first career save, Cox will make his third start of the season Thursday -- his first since early July. The 26-year-old lefty has been effective so far this season with a 3.58 ERA and 1.16 WHIP through 27.2 frames, but he will likely remain in the game for just two or three innings before Alec Marsh comes in as the Royals' bulk reliever.

AUGUST 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Earns first career save Cox allowed no hits or walks while striking out one in a scoreless ninth to pick up the save Friday against Philadelphia.

Impact After hitting Kyle Schwarber to start the frame, Cox struck out Alec Bohm, then induced a double play off the bat of Bryce Harper to secure his first career save. With Scott Barlow no longer around and presumed front-runner Carlos Hernandez pitching in the seventh, the closer position in Kansas City is up for grabs. Cox made a great first impression with his performance and it would not be surprising if he gets the next save opportunity for the Royals.

AUGUST 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled from Triple-A Cox was recalled from Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday.

Impact Cox has pitched well across eight appearances -- two starts -- in the majors this season, posting a 3.05 ERA and 19:10 K:BB over 20.2 innings. He will likely be available in relief for now, although he could be an option to take Daniel Lynch's (shoulder) rotation spot.

JULY 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Optioned to Triple-A Cox was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.

Impact 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.

JULY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Falters again in starting role 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.

Impact 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.

JULY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Drawing another start Cox is scheduled to start Monday's game in Minnesota, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Impact 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.

JULY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Takes loss in first start 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.

Impact 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.

JUNE 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Draws first career start Cox is scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Guardians, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Impact The rookie left-hander looks like he'll get a chance to nail down a rotation spot after a brilliant start to his big-league career while working out of the bullpen. In his first 12.1 innings with the Royals, Cox has yet to allow a run while striking out 13, and he even retired 39 batters before ceding his first two hits in his most recent outing last Thursday in Tampa Bay. The Royals are unlikely to turn Cox loose for more than five innings Wednesday unless he's economical with his pitch count, so he'll still carry an element of risk as a streaming option even while facing off against a weak Cleveland lineup.

JUNE 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Works 3.2 frames in bulk relief Cox didn't factor in the decision against Tampa Bay on Thursday, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out four batters over 3.2 innings.

Impact Kansas City opted for a bullpen game against the Rays, but Cox took on a healthy workload after entering in the second inning, tossing 53 pitches (33 for a strike). His 3.2 frames were a career high, and the southpaw handled them effectively, allowing just a pair of singles and a walk while punching out four and racking up 12 swinging strikes. Cox has yet to allow a run over 12.1 big-league innings and has compiled a 13:4 K:BB.

JUNE 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled from Triple-A Kansas City recalled Cox from Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday.

Impact Cox will take the roster spot of Josh Staumont after Staumont was placed on the 15-day injured list with a neck strain. Cox made one appearance with the Royals back on May 4, and he threw two scoreless innings against the Orioles in that outing. Cox has worked as a starter in Triple-A, and he could be inline to make multi-inning appearances -- perhaps even starts -- for Kansas City while with the club.

JUNE 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Back in minors Cox was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Friday.

Impact 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.

MAY 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Contract selected by KC Cox had his contract selected by the Royals on Wednesday.

Impact 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 Triple-A Omaha.

MAY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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