How Royals' recently recalled longshot converted pitcher was once traded for Roy Oswalt

As Kansas City Royals fans continue to marvel in the fact that they've now lost just twice in their last 13 games, it's easy to see why some roster moves can fly under the radar. One of those moves came on Thursday, as before the Royals dismantled the Toronto Blue Jays on the road 13-2 to secure their fourth-straight series win, they made a series of roster moves. Among them included the promotion of former outfielder turned relief pitcher Anthony Gose, whom they signed to a minor league contract back in April.

Ironically enough, Gose is primarily known for his time in Toronto where his major league career began 2012 as an outfielder and he resided for their for three seasons. However, Toronto was not where Gose started his pro career, as he was drafted in the second round by the Philadelphia Phillies back in 2008.

His time with the Phillies didn't last long though, as in 2010 amid the height of Philly's National League dominance, they packaged Gose alongside major leaguer J.A. Happ and eventual major leaguer Jonathan Villar in trade to Houston for former 3-time All-Star and NLCS MVP Roy Oswalt. Gose was then immediately flipped from Houston to Toronto, where he gained a considerable prospect status.

Being out of MLB since 2013, it seems bizarre to think that in the year 2026, there's still somehow major league headlines that can be linked to Oswalt, but what's even crazier is that this isn't the first time his name has made the news cycle this month. Less than two weeks ago a video game streamer by the name of Jay Lucarelli spent 1,993 attempts to achieve a perfect game with Oswalt on the classic game MVP Baseball 2005.

Who knew that it would only take the Royals and their lefty-depleted bullpen giving Anthony Gose and his near-5.00 ERA in Triple-A Omaha his first shot in the majors since 2024 to strengthen Oswalt's recognition in today's game.

Anthony Gose is a nice comeback story, but Royals fans shouldn't expect much from him

Now, Gose certainly made a good first impression in his return to the majors in his first assignment with Kansas City. In a low leverage ninth inning appearance with the Royals up 11 runs, he went three up, three down to retire the side and end the ball game.

However, it was a low leverage situation at the end of the day and as alluded to earlier, he didn't exactly set the world on fire since his arrival in Omaha. In 46.0 innings pitched with the Storm Chasers, Gose may've showed off his strikeout abilities and good velocity but was also throwing to a 4.89 ERA, 5.28 FIP and 1.54 WHIP issuing 5.67 BB/9 in the process.

They've gotten lucky with the likes of Craig Kimbrel and even more so Nate Pearson, but they can't expect to strike gold all the time on gambles like these. With a lefty-deprived bullpen, it would be nice if Gose can help them out down the stretch, but fans shouldn't get carried away with him - especially considering he's 36-year-old arm that's all but nearing retirement.

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