Holland elected free agency Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

In addition to Holland, fellow right-handed relievers Ervin Santana, Wade Davis (shoulder) and Jesse Hahn (shoulder) opted to test their luck on the open market, leaving the Royals with 35 players on their 40-man roster. Holland served as a part-time closer for Kansas City in 2021, logging eight saves in 12 chances while accruing a 4.85 ERA and 1.35 WHIP across 55.2 innings.

Holland (3-5) pitched two perfect innings and earned the win Wednesday over Cleveland. He struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander covered the sixth and seventh innings, and he benefited from Kansas City taking the lead in the bottom of the seventh. Holland has not allowed a run in 7.2 innings since returning from a shoulder injury. He has a 4.97 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 53:26 K:BB across 54.1 innings. The veteran reliever has retained a high-leverage role, although Scott Barlow has seen most of the save chances lately.

Holland struck out one in a perfect inning during Saturday's 5-1 loss to Detroit.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander needed just 10 pitches (seven strikes) to sit down Detroit in order in the seventh inning. Holland has allowed just two hits and a walk with five strikeouts in 5.2 innings since he returned from a shoulder injury, although he's logged just one save in those five appearances. The 35-year-old appears to have been passed up by Scott Barlow and Josh Staumont in Kansas City's bullpen hierarchy. Holland owns a 5.16 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 52:26 K:BB, eight saves and eight holds through 52.1 innings overall.

Holland fired a perfect 11th inning, striking out one to earn the save in the win over the Twins on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Holland was perfect in his first appearance since Aug. 14 after coming off the 10-day injured list with a shoulder injury. He retired the side in order and struck out Brent Rooker to end the game. The 35-year-old has a 5.66 ERA and 1.47 WHIP with 48 punchouts in 47.2 innings this season. It appears that he will receive at least a share of the save chances alongside teammate Scott Barlow.

Holland (shoulder) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Holland had been sidelined since Aug. 15 due to right shoulder impingement syndrome, but he'll rejoin the Royals' bullpen after missing just under a month. Across 13 appearances since the All-Star break, the 35-year-old has posted an 8.49 ERA and 1.54 WHIP in 11.2 innings.

Holland was placed on the 10-day injured list with right shoulder impingement syndrome Monday, retroactive to Aug. 15.

EDGE Analysis

Holland has struggled recently, as he's allowed nine runs (eight earned) on seven hits and four walks while striking out two in three innings across his last four appearances. His injury likely contributed to his issues, and it's not yet clear when he'll be healthy enough to return.

Holland (2-5) allowed three runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks in two-thirds of an inning, taking the extra-innings loss to the Yankees on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

In a game that saw the Royals rally from a deficit in four consecutive innings, Holland's sloppy pitching in the 11th combined with Whit Merrifield's costly error created a deficit too big to overcome. This was Holland's first loss since July 8, but he's now allowed six runs (four earned) in his last inning across two appearances. The 35-year-old has a 5.24 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 45:24 K:BB with seven saves, eight holds and four blown saves in 44.2 innings. Given his recent struggles, manager Mike Matheny may be more inclined to turn to other members of the closing committee for save chances in the near future.

Holland recorded his sixth hold of the season in Saturday's 9-8 win over the Tigers, allowing two runs on two hits and two walks over two-thirds of an inning.

EDGE Analysis

Entering the game in the ninth inning to protect a three-run lead, Holland instead made a mess of things, serving up a two-run shot to Akil Baddoo and then walking two more batters before getting replaced by Wade Davis for the final out. Holland avoided another blown save, but the 35-year-old has an 8.64 ERA and 1.56 WHIP through 8.1 innings in July and seems to be losing ground to Scott Barlow in the Royals' closer mix.

Holland struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Friday's 5-3 win over Detroit.

EDGE Analysis

Holland has recorded saves in each of his last two appearances after going nine straight outings without one. The 35-year-old needed just 13 pitches to finish off Detroit in the ninth inning. The right-hander has a 4.62 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 42:18 K:BB through 39 innings. He's collected seven saves, five holds and four blown saves as part of Kansas City's crowded closer committee, although it appears Holland and Scott Barlow are the strongest high-leverage options at the moment.

Holland earned the save Tuesday against the Brewers by tossing a scoreless inning. He gave up one hit and no walks while striking out two batters.

EDGE Analysis

With the Royals holding onto a three-run lead, Holland was called upon to finish things up. He nearly surrendered a home run to Manny Pina, but luckily Andrew Benintendi came through with a solid catch. With his pair of punchouts, Holland picked up his 500th strikeout as a Royal and his 40th of the season across 38 innings. The right-hander has tallied six saves to go with a 4.74 ERA and 1.42 WHIP.