James McArthur

James McArthur

28-Year-Old PitcherRP
Kansas City Royals
15-Day IL
Injury Elbow
Est. Return 5/1/2025
2025 Fantasy Outlook
Matt Quatraro's early season usage patterns in the ninth inning forecasted a shared closer role in Kansas City, but McArthur emerged with a greater-than 50 percent save share over the first few months of the 2024 campaign. The 28-year-old ultimately led the Royals with 18 saves and a 43.9 percent team save share, but his inconsistent performance - notably, seven blown saves - forced a demotion from closing. McArthur posted a 6.87 ERA in the second half before he was subsequently diagnosed with a Grade 1 UCL sprain in his right elbow. While a Grade 1 sprain is the least severe, there is always long-term concern when UCL damage is involved. As of now, McArthur expected to be ready for spring training, but a return to closing appears unlikely after Kansas City heavily invested in its bullpen at last year's trade deadline. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
Rest of Season
From Preseason
#363
ADP
$Signed a one-year contract with the Royals in February of 2024.
Officially lands on IL
PKansas City Royals
Elbow
March 24, 2025
McArthur (elbow) was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday.
ANALYSIS
McArthur is still on the mend from offseason surgery on his right elbow, so this move isn't an indication of his progress after it was reported a few days earlier that he'd begin the year on the IL. The team has yet to reveal a timetable for the right-hander's return.
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Pitching Stats
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2025
2024
2023
2022
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2024 MLB Game Log
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2023 MLB Game Log
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Left/Right Pitching Splits
Since 2023
 
 
-3%
BAA vs RHP
2025
No Stats
2024
 
 
-2%
BAA vs LHP
2023
 
 
-14%
BAA vs RHP
BAA Batters K BB H 2B 3B HR
Since 2023vs Left .286 151 34 7 40 7 1 6
Since 2023vs Right .277 186 38 9 48 10 1 4
2025vs Left 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2025vs Right 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2024vs Left .295 113 24 6 31 2 1 4
2024vs Right .301 134 25 8 37 8 0 4
2023vs Left .257 38 10 1 9 5 0 2
2023vs Right .220 52 13 1 11 2 1 0
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Home/Away Pitching Splits
Since 2023
 
 
-40%
ERA on Road
2025
No Stats
2024
 
 
-22%
ERA on Road
2023
 
 
-84%
ERA on Road
ERA WHIP IP W L SV K/9 BB/9 HR/9
Since 2023Home 5.83 1.40 46.1 3 4 11 8.5 1.9 1.2
Since 2023Away 3.48 1.16 33.2 3 3 11 7.5 1.6 1.1
2025Home 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2025Away 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2024Home 5.46 1.50 31.1 2 4 9 7.5 2.3 1.1
2024Away 4.26 1.38 25.1 3 3 9 8.2 2.1 1.4
2023Home 6.60 1.20 15.0 1 0 2 10.8 1.2 1.2
2023Away 1.08 0.48 8.1 0 0 2 5.4 0.0 0.0
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230 days ago
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2024 Fantasy Outlook
The Royals acquired McArthur via trade last May after the 26-year-old was designated for assignment by Phillies. The 6-foot-7 right-hander was mostly unimpressive as a long reliever for Kansas City's Triple-A affiliate, but nonetheless he was recalled for his big-league debut last June. He allowed seven earned runs over an inning of work during his MLB debut, then was shuttled back and forth between the majors and minors multiple times. Upon his final recall in early September, McArthur looked like a completely different pitcher. He closed out the season throwing more curveballs and fewer sinkers, which resulted in a 12-game scoreless streak spanning 16.1 innings with an impressive 19:0 K:BB. He even got some run as the Royals' closer, securing four saves over the final two weeks. McArthur's strong finish certainly improves his chances of making the Royals' 2024 Opening Day roster, but closing is no guarantee.
More Fantasy News
Set to begin season on IL
PKansas City Royals
Elbow
March 22, 2025
McArthur (elbow) is expected to begin the season on the injured list, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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On mend from elbow surgery
PKansas City Royals
Elbow
February 12, 2025
McArthur will be delayed to begin spring training after he underwent surgery in the offseason to address an olecranon fracture in his right elbow, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Expected to be ready for spring
PKansas City Royals
Elbow
October 15, 2024
McArthur (elbow) is expected to be ready for the start of spring training, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Won't return in October
PKansas City Royals
Elbow
September 24, 2024
McArthur (elbow) will not return in 2024, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Dealing with Grade 1 UCL sprain
PKansas City Royals
Elbow
September 17, 2024
McArthur, who was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday, was diagnosed with a Grade 1 UCL sprain in his right elbow and will be shut down from throwing for 5-to-7 days, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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