Royals’ Chris Young will make next start at home after being skipped in rotation
After a day off on Thursday, Royals manager Ned Yost decided to juggle his starting rotation, skipping the next start of right-hander Chris Young, who was scheduled to take the ball on Saturday in Chicago.
In his place, left-hander Danny Duffy will start Saturday against the White Sox on regular rest. Yordano Ventura will return on Sunday, his first start since igniting a brawl in Baltimore on Tuesday. Edinson Volquez will start Monday against the Cleveland Indians at Kauffman Stadium before Young returns to the rotation on Tuesday.
“We wanted to keep everybody on five days (of rest),” Yost said. “We didn’t want to bump them back to six, especially right now.”
The decision comes after Young allowed five earned runs — and another four homers — in a 7-0 loss to the Indians last Sunday. It allow him to make his next start in the spacious confines of Kauffman Stadium. Young, 37, has posted a 6.37 ERA in 41 innings this season while allowing league-leading 17 homers.
Medlen set to begin rehab start
After throwing two live batting practice sessions in Surprise, Ariz., right-hander Kris Medlen is slated to begin a rehab stint at Class AA Northwest Arkansas next week.
Medlen is expected to begin the rehab assignment with a pitch count of 45 pitches, Yost said. Medlen has not pitched since allowing four earned runs in two innings in a start against the Yankees in New York on May 10. Days later, he was placed on the disabled list with inflammation in his right rotator cuff.
Eibner progressing in his rehab assignment
Outfielder Brett Eibner finished 1 for 4 with an RBI on Thursday in the first game of a rehab assignment for Class AAA Omaha. Eibner served as the designated hitter in the Storm Chasers’ 5-1 loss at New Orleans.
On Friday, Eibner started in left field for the first time since spraining his ankle in a victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on May 31 at Kauffman Stadium.
Royals manager Ned Yost said Eibner would build up to a full nine innings over the next week. He will be eligible for re-instatement to the 25-man roster on Thursday.
This story was originally published June 10, 2016 at 8:25 PM with the headline "Royals’ Chris Young will make next start at home after being skipped in rotation."