Herrera was battered for four runs (three earned) on three hits while retiring just two hitters, and took the loss as the Royals fell to the Orioles 14-8 Friday night.

Herrera (4-3, 2.48 ERA) was just one part of an epic bullpen meltdown that saw the usually reliable Royals' pen give up 12 runs in three innings. He was diagnosed with chickenpox last week and it was initially believed he would be out at least two weeks, but he returned sooner than expected. Whether that contributed to his struggles against the Orioles is unknown, but the excellent Kansas City bullpen should be forgiven for one bad night.

Herrera (illness) will be available for Monday's game, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Herrera was diagnosed with chickenpox last Tuesday, and the team initially believed he would miss at least two weeks. However, Herrera recovered more quickly than expected, and after throwing a bullpen session over the weekend, he's rejoined the team as it closes in on the AL Central crown.

Herrera (chickenpox) threw a bullpen session Friday at the park and could return next week, the Kansas City Star's Andy McCullough reports.

It's not clear exactly when Herrera could be back next week, but it sounds like he should return soon. The Royals don't really have much need of him and it could come as something of a blessing in disguise as it will allow Herrera to enter the postseason with a relatively fresh arm.

Herrera is dealing with the chickenpox virus and could be out at least two weeks, The Kansas City Star reports.

Herrera and Alex Rios are both dealing with the virus, so the Royals will take the necessary precautions to prevent the illness from spreading, and will give Herrera as much time as he needs to recover. His absence will temporarily weaken the Royals' bullpen, but it seems likely that he will be back at 100 percent when the postseason kicks off.

Herrera picked up his second win of the season Saturday, allowing one hit in a scoreless tenth inning.

Herrera typically handles the seventh inning, but was called upon in a tie game in extra innings and ended up as the winning pitcher in the effort. He's now the proud owner of a sparkling 1.90 ERA and 0.96 WHIP, to go along with a K/9 rate of 8.44 -- a mark that represents a slight improvement from his 2014 campaign.

Herrera tossed a scoreless frame Friday afternoon to earn his 14th hold of the season.

He continues to work effectively as the Royals' primary seventh-inning option, carrying a 1.89 ERA on the season. With Wade Davis and Greg Holland healthy, Herrera has at least two excellent arms ahead of him in the pecking order for saves at the present time.

Herrera's combined six-game suspension is over, and he will be available out of the Royals' bullpen Wednesday night.

Herrera is set to return to action after serving time for his role in fracases with both the A's and White Sox. Expect him to immediately resume his role as the Royals' seventh-inning pitcher in front of setup man Wade Davis and closer Greg Holland.

Herrera's two suspensions will total six games, and he'll start serving them Thursday, Andy McCullough of the Kansas City Star reports.

Herrera was unsuccessful in the appeal of his five-game suspension, but the two-game ban was dropped down to just one game. Assuming no rainouts, he'll be eligible to return May 13 in Arlington. With Herrera temporarily sidelined, the recently-activated Luke Hochevar (elbow) may get some work in the later innings.

Herrera will appeal the two-game suspension he received from MLB on Saturday for his involvement in Thursday's brawl with the White Sox, the Kansas City Star reports.

Herrera is already appealing a five-game suspension from an incident with the A's. A final ruling will be handed down for both appeals in the coming weeks.

Herrera has been suspended two games, effective Sunday, for his role in Thursday's brawl with the White Sox.

Herrera was one of six players suspended, and all six players were also fined an undisclosed amount. It marks the second time already this season Herrera has been suspended -- he was issued a five-game ban for throwing at Oakland's Brett Lawrie last weekend -- but he is currently in the process of appealing his first suspension.

Herrera is appealing his five-game suspension for throwing at Oakland's Brett Lawrie on Saturday, Andy McCullough of The Kansas City Star reports.

While Herrera probably won't win the appeal, he will now be available for Tuesday's game against the Twins. He still figures to miss five games at some point, and will likely have to serve the suspension before Greg Holland (pectoral) is ready to return.

Herrera has been suspended five games for throwing at Brett Lawrie during Saturday's game against the Athletics, Royals broadcaster Mike Swanson reports.

Teammate Yordano Ventura escaped the weekend's drama with just a fine, so Herrera will be the only player to draw a suspension. It wouldn't be surprising to see an appeal, given that the Royals are already without closer Greg Holland (pectoral). Of course, the appeal probably won't be successful, and the process would likely come to a conclusion before Holland is ready to return. If Herrera doesn't appeal, Jason Frasor and Ryan Madson will temporarily fill in as the top setup men in front of Wade Davis.

Herrera earned his second hold of the season Friday with a scoreless eighth inning against the Angels in a winning effort.

Wade Davis picked up the save while the Royals opted against using Greg Holland on three consecutive days during the first week of the regular season. Herrera appears to be behind Davis in the pecking order for saves should Holland go down with an injury at some point this season.

Herrera signed a two-year contract with the Royals on Thursday to avoid arbitration.

Herrera was spectacular for the Royals out of the bullpen last season, posting a 1.41 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 59 strikeouts in 70 innings. He gives the club some heat out of the bullpen, averaging 98 on the radar gun, and didn't allow a single home run throughout the 2014 campaign. He, Wade Davis, and closer Greg Holland figure to give the Royals one of the deadliest late-inning trios again in 2015.

Herrera's availability for Game 3 will depend on a side session he throws Sunday, Josh Vernier of Fox Sports Kansas City reports.

Herrera left Game 1 with a forearm strain after just five pitches that resulted in walking the only batter he faced. The outcome of his side session before the game will determine whether he can pitch in Game 3 or not.

Herrera has been diagnosed with a "slight" flexor strain and will not be available Friday, Andy McCullough of the Kansas City Star reports.

Herrera walked the first batter he faced in Thursday's Game 1 on five pitches, and was promptly removed with what was labeled forearm tightness. Upon further evaluation, Herrera was found to have a strain, but the team will give him another look over Saturday to see if he could be an option for Game 3.

Herrera left Thursday's game with right forearm tightness, Andy McCullough of the Kansas City Star reports.

Herrera faced just one batter and walked him before being removed from the game for Brandon Finnegan. While it's unclear how severe the injury is for the young reliever, forearm injuries are never good news.

Herrera left Thursday's game with an undisclosed injury, Andy McCullough of the Kansas City Star reports.

Herrera pitched to just one batter, walking him, before leaving the game with an injury. The team will likely shed some light on the situation in the near future, but Brandon Finnegan replaced him on the mound.

Herrera allowed two earned runs on two hits and a walk over 0.2 innings Tuesday night against the White Sox.

Herrera had amazingly not been scored upon since June 24, which had been the longest active streak for eligible relievers. Both he and teammate Wade Davis saw their scoreless streaks end Tuesday on a Conor Gillaspie bases-clearing triple in the seventh inning. Putting that brief hiccup aside, Herrera has been one of the elite relief pitchers in baseball this season, posting a 1.55 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 55:24 K:BB ratio.

Royals recalled RHP Kelvin Herrera from Triple-A Omaha.

It will be his third stint in the majors, as the former setup man has flamed out in his other chances. Herrera has pitched well of late at Omaha, though, throwing 7 1/3 scoreless innings with a 13/2 K/BB ratio in July. He figures to be used in low-leverage situations for now.