Stratton elected free agency Monday, per MiLB's transactions log.
Stratton will test the open market rather than accept a minor-league assignment after being designated for assignment by the Dodgers on Saturday. He's already appeared for two clubs so far this season, accruing a 7.71 ERA and 2.00 WHIP with 22 strikeouts over 21.0 innings during stops with Kansas City and Los Angeles.
The Dodgers designated Stratton for assignment Saturday.
This is the second time Stratton has been designated for assignment in the past week -- he was previously DFA'd on Monday but cleared waivers and was outrighted to the minors before rejoining the big-league squad Friday. In his latest turn with the team, Stratton allowed one run in one inning against the Cardinals on Friday. Stratton's removal from the 40-man roster makes room for the activation of fellow reliever Michael Kopech (shoulder) from the 60-day IL.
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Dodgers' Chris Stratton: Joins active roster
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The Dodgers re-signed Stratton on Friday and added him to the active roster, Kirsten Watson of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.
Stratton opted for free agency after clearing waivers Thursday, per Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register, but he's now back with the team and will once again work out of the big-league bullpen, replacing Ryan Loutos. The 34-year-old Stratton owns a 7.65 ERA and 2.05 WHIP across 20 combined innings between Kansas City and Los Angeles and will most likely be reserved for low-leverage situations.
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Dodgers' Chris Stratton: Clears waivers
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Stratton was outrighted to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday.
Stratton was designated for assignment Tuesday and cleared waivers. He's struggled to a 7.65 ERA and 2.05 WHIP across 20 big-league innings this year, so it's unclear when his next chance in the majors may come.
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Dodgers' Chris Stratton: Designated for assignment
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The Dodgers designated Stratton for assignment Monday.
Stratton made two appearances during his brief stint with the Dodgers, yielding two runs in three innings. The veteran reliever is likely to pass through waivers unclaimed, and if that happens, could elect free agency.
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Dodgers' Chris Stratton: Catches on with Dodgers
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Stratton signed a one-year contract with the Dodgers on Sunday.
After getting cut loose by the Royals on Thursday, Stratton quickly found work with the Dodgers and has joined the team in New York ahead of Sunday's series finale versus the Mets. The veteran righty will likely be ticketed for a low-leverage role in the Los Angeles bullpen after he struggled to a 7.94 ERA and 2.18 WHIP in 17 innings over his 12 appearances for Kansas City prior to being cut loose.
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Chris Stratton: Released by Royals
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The Royals released Stratton on Thursday.
Stratton passed through waivers unclaimed after being booted off the Royals' 40-man roster and he is now free to sign with another organization. The veteran reliever will likely have to settle for a minor-league contract after allowing 15 earned runs across 17 innings in 2025.
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Royals' Chris Stratton: DFA'd by Kansas City
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The Royals designated Stratton for assignment Sunday.
Stratton exercised his $4.5 million player option for 2025 during the offseason after posting a 5.55 ERA in 57 appearances last year, and the Royals have decided to cut him loose after he gave up 15 earned runs across 17 innings to begin the current season. The right-hander seems likely to clear waivers given what remains of his salary.
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Royals' Chris Stratton: Struggles in regular-season debut
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Stratton allowed two runs on three hits and two walks with no strikeouts over 1.2 innings Sunday against Cleveland.
Stratton's season ended in mid-September due to a forearm injury, but he was healthy in spring training. He was unimpressive last season with a 5.55 ERA, 17.1 percent K rate and 12.8 percent walk rate but was a consistent part of the middle-relief corps. A slow start to the season won't help him find higher-leverage usage.
Stratton (forearm) exercised his $4.5 million player option for the 2025 season Thursday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
Stratton threw 58.1 innings out of the bullpen for the Royals in 2024, occasionally working in high-leverage situations. He posted a 5.55 ERA and 1.47 WHIP to go along with four saves and five holds. Stratton's season ended in mid-September due to forearm injury, though he is expected to be ready for the start of spring training.
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Royals' Chris Stratton: On track for start of spring
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Stratton (forearm) is expected to be healthy for the beginning of spring training, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Stratton missed the final couple weeks of the regular season and the playoffs with a right flexor strain, but he's expected to recover with an offseason of rest. The veteran reliever holds a $4.5 million player option for 2025, which he seems likely to exercise after posting a lackluster 5.55 ERA and 44:33 K:BB over 58.1 innings in 2024.
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Royals' Chris Stratton: Placed on injured list
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The Royals placed Stratton on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a right forearm flexor strain.
Stratton surrendered two earned runs over an inning out of the bullpen Friday, but he appears to have come away from his latest outing with an injury. He won't be eligible to return from the IL until the final game of the season Sept. 29, and it's possible the Royals elect to keep him on the shelf until the start of the postseason, assuming they hang onto their wild-card spot. Until then, Angel Zerpa will come up from the minors to fill the opening in Kansas City's bullpen.
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Royals' Chris Stratton: Snags fourth win
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Stratton (4-3) earned the win Sunday over the Tigers, striking out one in a perfect inning.
Stratton worked the eighth inning with the Royals down 2-0, and they took the lead with a three-run home run by MJ Melendez in the ninth. This was Stratton's second win in three appearances. He's allowed six runs (five earned) over 10.1 innings since the start of July, but the right-hander is still getting work in some key moments as the Royals' bullpen remains a weak spot. Stratton has a 4.40 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 39:27 K:BB through 45 innings while adding four saves and five holds this year.
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Royals' Chris Stratton: Collects third win
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Stratton (3-3) allowed one run on two hits and struck out one over 1.2 innings to earn the win over the White Sox on Monday.
Stratton got out of Angel Zerpa's jam in the sixth inning but went on to give up an Andrew Vaughn solo home run in the seventh. The Royals then rallied from behind with a six-run eighth, giving Stratton his first win since April 23. The right-hander is at a 4.60 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 38:27 K:BB with four saves and five holds over 43 innings this season. He's played an important role in the bullpen, but Stratton's mediocre numbers make him a shaky fantasy option.
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Royals' Chris Stratton: Notches save Thursday
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Stratton earned a save against the Athletics on Thursday by retiring both batters he faced.
Regular closer James McArthur was deployed in a high-leverage situation in the seventh frame and ended up with the victory despite allowing two hits and two walks over one inning of work. That left the door to a save chance open for Stratton, who entered Thursday with three saves on the season but none since May 20. Stratton got the job done against Oakland in a tough spot, as he entered with two runners on base and just one out. The right-hander could see a few additional ninth-inning opportunities along the way, though McArthur remains the favorite for saves in Kansas City.
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Royals' Chris Stratton: Melts down in sixth inning
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Stratton (2-3) took the loss and a blown save Thursday versus the Twins, allowing four runs on three hits and two walks while striking out two over two-thirds of an inning.
Stratton worked the sixth inning, relieving starter Daniel Lynch while the Royals were ahead 4-3. That lead didn't hold, as Stratton gave up an RBI single to Max Kepler and a three-run triple to Carlos Correa before John Schreiber finished off the frame. While Stratton has kept runs off the board in seven of his 10 appearances in May, he's allowed seven runs with an 11:6 K:BB over 11 innings for the month. He's at a poor 6.00 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 22:16 K:BB with three saves, three holds and two blown saves over 24 innings this season, serving as an occasional high-leverage option.
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Royals' Chris Stratton: Earns third save
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Stratton struck out one batter over 1.1 perfect innings and earned a save over the Tigers on Monday.
Stratton entered in the eighth inning with two outs and the bases jammed. He escaped the threat and retired the side in order to preserve the win. The dangerous circumstances allowed him to earn the save despite Kansas City winning 8-3, which would explain why James McArthur wasn't used. Stratton owns a 4.95 ERA with three saves and three holds through 19 appearances.
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Royals' Chris Stratton: Converts second save
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Stratton allowed two walks in a scoreless inning and earned a save over the Brewers on Monday.
Stratton forced a double play after the first walk, so he didn't face a very threatening push from Milwaukee. It was his second save of the year and first since April 6, while it's worth noting that normal closer James MacArthur was likely unavailable after pitching two innings Sunday. Stratton blew his last opportunity when he was slammed for five runs against Detroit on April 27. He is sporting a 5.40 ERA with a shaky 12:12 K:BB through 15 frames.
