Zimmer pitched a perfect 10th inning with two strikeouts to earn the save in Sunday's 4-3 extra-inning win over the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

The Royals had already used five relievers to get through the previous five innings, leaving Zimmer as one of the few options to lock down the save. He's done well in a versatile role this year, as he's allowed just one hit and two walks with seven strikeouts across 6.1 innings. The right-hander still isn't expected to see high-leverage assignments -- Sunday's save was the first of his major-league career.

Zimmer allowed a hit and a walk and struck out two over three innings in Sunday's 7-3 loss to the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

Zimmer worked the sixth, seventh and eighth innings. He did well to keep a clean line, although the Royals' comeback never materialized. Zimmer has allowed just three baserunners over 3.2 innings across two outings to start 2021. The 29-year-old right-hander seems to be a versatile option in the Royals' bullpen, but he's not expected to work in high-leverage assignments.

Zimmer (elbow) is listed among the Royals' available bullpen options for Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Cubs, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

EDGE Analysis

Zimmer looks poised to see his first competitive action since Sept. 22, when he was diagnosed with right elbow ulnar neuritis following an appearance against St. Louis. With a long offseason to recover from the injury, Zimmer looks to be back to full strength for spring training. The 29-year-old right-hander is expected to work in a middle-relief role with Kansas City to begin 2021.

Zimmer was placed on the 45-day injured list Wednesday with right elbow ulnar neuritis.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander exited Tuesday's contest after experiencing a "zinger" in his right arm, and he'll miss the rest of the season as a result. It's unclear how long the injury is expected to sideline him. Zimmer finishes the season with a 1.57 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 26:10 K:BB across 23 innings.

Zimmer left Tuesday's loss to the Cardinals with what manager Mike Matheny called a "zinger" near his right hand, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander apparently dealt with a similar issue earlier in the season, though it was minor and didn't require a trip to the injured list. Zimmer underwent testing after leaving the contest, and the results showed no major cause for concern. The team likely will show extreme caution for the final five games of the season with no hopes of making the playoffs.

Zimmer (1-0) picked up the win in relief Saturday, giving up one hit and one walk over 2.1 innings as the Royals downed the Pirates 7-4. He struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander entered the game after Carlos Hernandez lasted three innings in his first big-league start, and when Kansas City took the lead in the fifth, Zimmer was rewarded with his first career big-league win. He's been very effective in long relief this year, posting a 1.35 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 21:9 K:BB through 20 innings, but at present he doesn't seem likely to work his way into a higher-leverage role.

Zimmer recorded five outs in relief in Tuesday's 8-6 win over the Indians, giving up no hits and walking one while striking out three during the 25-pitch appearance.

EDGE Analysis

Though the Royals have seemingly pulled the plug on developing the 2012 first-round pick as a starting pitcher, Zimmer has settled in nicely as a multi-inning relief option for Kansas City. Through his 12 appearances spanning 17.2 frames, Zimmer owns a 1.53 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 20:8 K:BB. The Royals have thus far preferred to use him in middle relief rather than in high-leverage spots, as he has no holds or saves to his name.

Through three outings (one start) this season, Zimmer has given up one run on five his and two walks while striking out seven over six innings.

EDGE Analysis

After making a two-inning start July 28 versus the Tigers, Zimmer has since moved back into his normal relief role with the Royals getting Jakob Junis and Brad Keller back from the COVID-19 injured list. Zimmer ended up being needed in relief in the Aug. 1 loss to the White Sox and made his longest appearance to date, covering three scoreless frames. Though the right-hander doesn't look like he'll factor into the Royals' unsettled save situation, his prior starting experience in the minors should make him one of the team's preferred multi-inning arms out of the bullpen.

Zimmer allowed one earned run on one hit and one walk while striking out one across two innings on Tuesday against the Tigers. He did not factor into the decision.

EDGE Analysis

Zimmer was needed as a starter with both Brad Keller and Jakob Junis on the Covid-19 injured list, but it was known before his outing that he would be in for a limited workload. After a clean first inning, Zimmer worked out a jam in the second frame. He came back out to start the the third inning, but hit the first batter prior to being pulled and was ultimately charged after the runner came around to score. Both Keller and Junis have a chance to join the rotation once they can get more stretched out, which would bounce Zimmer back to a bullpen role.

Zimmer will start Tuesday against the Tigers but will throw approximately 50 pitches, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Zimmer will get the call with Brad Keller and Jakob Junis still on the COVID-19 injured list, but he won't handle a true starter's workload, so this could wind up resembling a bullpen game. Zimmer has appeared once already this season, striking out three batters in one inning in a bullpen appearance Sunday. He gave up 22 runs while recording an 18:19 K:BB in his 18.1-inning debut last season.