by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/20/2013) Royals reliever Kelvin Herrera combined with Tim Collins for an ugly eighth inning on Saturday afternoon in Boston.
Herrera entered after Collins had allowed a double, walk and a double play. With a runner on base, Herrera walked Mike Napoli. He then allowed a three-run home run to Daniel Nava for the blown save.
The Royals couldn't rally, so Herrera got the loss. Herrera (1-2) has a 7.36 ERA.
Kelvin Herrera not such a hot stash anymore
by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (4/17/2013) I'm still of the belief Kelvin Herrera will take over as the Royals' closer at some point this year. I think he's more talented than Greg Holland, and I think the Royals like him more.
But after he allowed four home runs in the eighth inning against the Braves Tuesday, I'm not counting on it happening anytime soon. That outing pretty much elemenated whatever leverage he had gained over the struggling Holland. If I'm looking for immediate saves help, I'm picking up Edward Mujica or even Jose Valverde instead.
Walk-off lands Kelvin Herrera with win
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/14/2013) Royals reliever Kelvin Herrera picked up his first win in Sunday's series finale against the Blue Jays.
The right-hander worked a perfect ninth inning with the score tied at 2-2 and was rewarded with the victory when Alex Gordon hit a walk-off single in the bottom of the frame.
Herrera (1-0) has yet to allow a run through 5 1/3 innings while striking out 11. He has also converted both of his save chances.
Kelvin Herrera fills in for second save
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/10/2013) Royals reliever Kelvin Herrera was asked to get three outs in the ninth Wednesday with a 3-0 lead against the Twins. Unlike Greg Holland, Herrera made it look easy with three strikeouts.
Herrera, who will go back to being a setup man going forward as Holland was just getting a rest, allowed one hit and earned his second save of the year. He needed 21 pitches and his ERA is perfect.
Despite Herrera not having allowed a run on just two hits over 4 1/3 innings, manager Ned Yost reiterated Wednesday that Holland is his man. Never mind that Herrera already has two saves in two chances with 10 strikeouts.
Stash Kelvin Herrera, not Aaron Crow
by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (4/9/2013)Aaron Crow may have closed out the Royals' 3-1 win over the Twins Monday, but manager Ned Yost made a point to say it was only because closer Greg Holland and setup man Kelvin Herrera were unavailable, which seems to imply that Herrera is the backup option for saves in Kansas City.
That's worth noting because, in case you haven't noticed, closer Greg Holland has been pretty shaky, blowing a save one day and getting pulled from a save opportunity the next. It's also not too surprising considering the buzz this offseason that Herrera might be a better choice to close than Holland.
If you're looking for a sleeper for saves in the Royals' bullpen, Herrera is the reliever to stash.
Kelvin Herrera is not a great add
by Nando Di Fino | Senior Fantasy Writer (4/9/2013) I can see just one scenario in which a Fantasy owner would want to pick up Kelvin Herrera: if he owns Greg Holland and needs a safety net. I can't see Herrera taking the Royals' closer role away from Holland based on three games, and I would rather use that spot for a discarded John Axford or even a speculative stash on Brian Wilson.
Just stats-wise, Holland has been the better pitcher than Herrera -- he has a higher K/9 and excelled as the closer last year, with a 1.98 ERA and 16 saves from Aug. 1 on. Herrera was solid as a reliever last year (2.35 ERA and 1.18 WHIP), but he struck out less than a batter per inning, and only sported an 8.7 K/9 in the minors (granted, some of that was as a starter).
Converted full-time to reliever in 2011, Herrera had a sparkling 1.60 ERA across three levels in the minors, but saw his ERA increase as he went from High-A (0.61) to Double-A (1.75) to Triple-A (2.12). These are still stellar numbers, but show that he was a far better pitcher at the lower levels. Additionally, Ned Yost pointed out that Holland is a notorious slow starter (he had an 11.37 ERA in 6 1/3 April innings last year).
I like Herrera as a middle reliever with decent ratio and strikeout numbers in Roto leagues who can contribute in holds. However, I cannot get behind him as a replacement closer for a team that has a better pitcher already in the role.
Kelvin Herrera records save Sunday
by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com (4/7/2013)Kelvin Herrera had a one-out save Sunday after Greg Holland got into trouble in the ninth inning against Philadelphia.
Herrera struck out Erik Kratz after Holland allowed a run on two hits and got one out. Manager Ned Yost said earlier the Royals would stick with Holland, who blew a save Saturday, as closer. But after Sunday, Herrera could be in line to inherit the role.
Herrera gets second save
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (9/22/2012) With regular closer Greg Holland having pitched three days in a row, the Royals turned to reliever Kelvin Herrera to close out a two-run lead over the Indians. Herrera allowed a pair of base runners in the game, one on a single and another on a walk, but he was able to strike out Carlos Santana with two outs to end the game.
