The Kansas City Royals placed reliever Austin Cox on the 60-day injured list Saturday due to a sprained left knee.
Cox sustained the injury during the seventh inning of Friday’s 5-4 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. The left-handed pitcher was hit on the leg by a comebacker from Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk and then stumbled and fell as he was trying to cover first base.
The 26-year-old made 24 appearances, including three starts, during his rookie season and posted a 0-1 record, 4.79 ERA and 33 strikeouts.
Kansas City placed catcher Freddy Fermin on the 10-day IL with a fracture to his right middle finger.
The team also announced right-handed pitcher Brad Keller has returned from a rehab assignment and was reinstated from the injured list and selected catcher Tyler Cropley from double-A Northwest Arkansas.
The Royals have dropped to last place in the majors with a 44-98 record and continue their series against the Blue Jays on Saturday afternoon. Watch the game live on Sportsnet or SN NOW starting at 3 p.m. ET / noon PT.