Royals option Jakob Junis, appear set to go with 5-man rotation down the stretch
Following a disappointing outing on short notice Tuesday night, the Kansas City Royals optioned right-hander Jakob Junis to the club’s alternate training site, T-Bones Stadium, as one of several roster moves Wednesday.
Right-hander Scott Blewett and infielder Erick Mejia were recalled from the alternate site, both were on the Royals’ taxi squad for their current road trip.
Right-hander Matt Harvey was placed on the 10-day injured list because of a right lat strain.
Junis, who turned 28 on Wednesday, pitched in place of Danny Duffy on Tuesday night in Detroit. Junis struggled with command, particularly with his fastball, and allowed five runs on seven hits in 2 1/3 innings in what may be his last start of this season.
He began the pandemic-shortened season on the injured list after he contracted the COVID-19 coronavirus and got a late start to spring training 2.0.
The Royals (20-29) have not yet decided when Duffy will make his next start after he missed the team flight on Monday. He is with the club in Detroit and remains on the active roster.
The Royals had gone on a six-man pitching rotation during a stretch that included 17 consecutive days with a game prior to Monday’s day off.
However, they have two days off this week and will have just 10 games remaining after Wednesday night’s game in Detroit.
With the club likely to move back to a five-man rotation down the stretch, going to the alternate site will allow Junis to get regular work.
Rookies Brady Singer (Wednesday) and Kris Bubic (Friday) are scheduled to start the next two games. Singer will make his first start since he took a no-hitter into the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians.
If they stay on rotation, rookie Carlos Hernandez and right-hander Brad Keller would follow. Duffy’s spot would not come up again until Monday.
After the Royals activated Junis on Aug. 2 and he returned to the starting rotation, Junis went on the IL with back spasms on Aug. 16. He also had another start shortened after a line drive back up the middle hit him in the bicep and forced him out of a game.
Junis has been one of the mainstays of the pitching rotation since 2018. While Keller began the 2018 season in the bullpen and Duffy missed time with injuries in 2018 and 2019, Junis has led the staff in starts, wins and innings pitched each of the past two seasons.
Last season, Junis led the Royals’ pitching staff last season in wins (nine), starts (31), innings (175 1/3) and strikeouts (164).
