KC Royals DFA Pitcher With 13.97 ERA

May 27, 2026


A 13.97 ERA? Yup, that'll get you designated for assignment. The Kansas City Royals had no choice but to DFA left-handed reliever Bailey Falter after his disastrous nine-hit, seven-run outing over 2.1 innings on Tuesday night. 

Falter was a full-time starter for the previous four seasons, but took on a swing role with the Royals at the end of last season and again this year, with two starts and three relief appearances in 2026. But no matter what stage of the game he took the mound, it was ugly. As a reliever in his first three appearances, he had a 10.13 ERA in 5.1 innings, then in his last couple of outings he was called in to start, and posted a woeful 18.69 ERA.

Falter was frustrated with the flip-flop from the bullpen to the starter's mound, and said so.

I've been in the bullpen the past few days, been trying to do my bullpen routine. Trying to stay ready, just in case I do get in the game. And then just another last-minute start. Kind of just throws a whole wrench in the plan.

Royals reporter Anne Rogers added that KC had even given Falter a heads-up a few days in advance that he may be called on to take the ball for a start or two if the need arose. 

But still, he... Faltered in the role. 

Overall, in 9.2 innings with the Royals, he surrendered an unsightly 24 hits, 15 earned runs, and walked as many as he struck out (6 each). 

For his career, the southpaw has a 4.77 ERA across 475 innings over the last six seasons. He's also pitched with the Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates. He had a nice run with the Pirates in 2025, posting a 3.73 ERA in 22 starts before he was dealt to the Royals in July. He was asked to fill a swingman's role at that time, and he had just as much trouble with it then, posting an 11.25 ERA in his 12 innings with KC last August. 

Photo: © David Butler II-Imagn Images

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