No word yet on how much time Long will miss, but he figures to be out for at least a couple weeks, even in a best-case scenario. The 29-year-old lefty has pitched in middle relief for Kansas City this season, making seven low-leverage appearances.

Long has been great for the Royals in Triple-A, posting a 1.31 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 20 2/3 innings, striking out 23 and walking five. He has produced good numbers at Triple-A before but has been unable to sustain MLB success. Perhaps this time will be different, but the 28-year-old will have a chance to pitch meaningful innings for the Royals out of the bullpen.

Long emerged as a solid bullpen option for the Giants back in 2022, posting a 3.61 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 33/14 K/BB ratio across 42 1/3 innings which included six starts and 22 relief appearances. He was unable to keep that momentum going last year in Oakland, registering a 5.60 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, and 32/21 K/BB ratio in 45 innings. Just 28 years old, Long had enjoyed success in the Giants minor league system, so he will be hoping to recapture some of that in another fresh start.

Long has been ousted from Oakland’s 40-man roster heading into the offseason after compiling a pedestrian 5.60 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 32/21 K/BB ratio across 45 innings (40 appearances, one start) this season in the big leagues. The 28-year-old lefty will likely wind up electing free agency shortly and should be able to find a new opportunity somewhere else this offseason.