Royals bring Frazier off IL, promote pitcher for big-league debut
DENVER (KCTV) – As the Royals attempt to solve some of their bullpen woes, they made another roster move Friday.
With Kansas City heading to Denver for a three-game series with the Colorado Rockies, the Royals announced Friday they were promoting left-handed reliever Walter Pennington.
Pennington was signed by the Royals in 2021 after going undrafted out of the Colorado School of Mines. If he debuts this weekend, the 26-year-old from Broomfield, Colorado, would debut in essentially his hometown.
Pennington has been spectacular in Triple-A Omaha this season. In 32 games with the Storm Chasers, the 6-foot-2 lefty has a 2.35 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP, striking out 76 batters in 53.2 innings of work.
In a corresponding move, the Royals sent reliever Carlos Hernandez to Omaha.
The Royals also reinstated utilityman Adam Frazier from the injured list Friday. Frazier had been on the IL after suffering a right thumb sprain on June 23.
With Frazier returning, infielder CJ Alexander was sent back to Triple-A Omaha.
Pennington will attempt to help a Royals bullpen that struggled mightily Thursday night allowing five earned runs in 6 innings while walking five batters.
One of the relievers missing from the bullpen who has gone between Triple-A and the big league club is Dan Altavilla. He suffered a right oblique strain on June 20 and was placed on the IL. Friday, Kansas City moved him to the 60-day injured list.
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Once an undrafted free agent, Walter Pennington gets big-league shot with KC Royals
Walter Pennington has received his long-awaited call to the big leagues. On Friday, the Kansas City Royals promoted Pennington from Triple-A Omaha. The Royals have looked for relief help this season and Pennington, 26, became the latest reliever to get a chance in the majors.
And he passed his first initial test. Pennington made his MLB debut against his childhood team: the Colorado Rockies. In the eighth inning, Pennington pitched two-thirds of an inning and registered a strikeout. He fanned Rockies outfielder Nolan Jones and retired first baseman Michael Toglia in the frame. “I grew up here and I was dreaming to be a professional baseball player,” Pennington said. “It all started here at this stadium, and now I’m making it come true.”
