Royals’ Ned Yost getting closer to revealing his opening day starter

The wait for an opening day starter is nearly over. Royals manager Ned Yost said Wednesday that he could reveal his starting rotation as early as Saturday.

That piece of news came in the morning, just hours before one candidate for the gig, right-hander Edinson Volquez, allowed four runs and five hits in six innings in a minor-league start. Volquez was returning to action in a minor-league game after missing one start because of what the Royals called arm fatigue. He threw 82 pitches, finishing with four strikeouts and three walks.

Right-hander Yordano Ventura, another candidate for the opening day honor, will start a minor-league game Thursday after missing a start because of the flu. Right-hander Dillon Gee will make his second start of the spring on Thursday against the Brewers in Maryvale, Ariz.

To this point, Yost has held his opening-day plans like a closely guarded secret. Volquez profiles as the most logical candidate for the job. Yet he has said on multiple occasions that he does not want the assignment. Ventura served as the Royals’ opening day starter last season before struggling during the season’s first half.

Yost indicated Wednesday that he will reveal his full rotation in the coming days. On Tuesday, he said that an early spate of off days had forced the Royals to consider using just four starters during the team’s first turn through the rotation.

This story was originally published March 23, 2016 at 7:51 PM with the headline "Royals’ Ned Yost getting closer to revealing his opening day starter."