Royals place Holland, Soler on IR, bring back Kennedy, McBroom

The Kansas City Royals will be closing the 2020 season without their closer and the American League’s defending home run champion.

The Royals placed right-hander Greg Holland and DH/outfielder Jorge Soler on the injured list Friday, both with right oblique strains.

Replacing them on the roster are right-hander Ian Kennedy, who was reinstated from the IL, and first baseman/outfielder Ryan McBroom, who was recalled from the team’s alternate training site.

Holland, who took over as the closer following the trade of Trevor Rosenthal to San Diego, converted all six of his save opportunities this season. His 2020 record also will show a 3-0 record with a 1.91 ERA in 28 appearances.

Soler, who hit a league-leading 48 home runs in 2019, finishes this season with eight homers and 24 RBIs in 43 games. He returned from a 15-day stint on the IL on Monday but has shut it down after getting two hits (both doubles) in 13 at-bats over four games this week.

Kennedy missed all of September with a left calf strain. After a solid season as the closer in 2019, when he notched 30 saves, he has no saves in 2020 as Rosenthal and Holland handled most of those opportunities. Kennedy has a 0-2 record, 9.00 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 14 innings spread over 15 games.

McBroom has a .253 average, five homers and nine RBIs in 75 at-bats this season.