Royals turn to Brian Flynn to start Tuesday against the Indians

During a season in which the Royals have endured a bevy of injuries to core players, a losing streak that lasted more than a week and as many road losses as any team in the American League, the fifth spot in the rotation has supplied perhaps the most significant source of unrest.

The position belonged to Chris Young and Dillon Gee for much of the first half of the season, but the two veterans responded with only three combined victories across 18 starts.

Thus, Brian Flynn gets his shot Tuesday — against the first-place Cleveland Indians, no less.

Flynn will make his first start with the Royals on Tuesday, opposing Cleveland right-hander Danny Salazar.

“We know what we’ve got in Chris Young. We know what we have in Dillon Gee. (We’re) just seeing what we have in Brian Flynn,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “He’s been throwing the ball extremely well out of the ’pen. We want to give him an opportunity to start.”

Flynn, a 26-year-old lefty, has made 13 relief appearances for the Royals this season. He owns a 2.39 earned run average.

When he takes the ball for the initial turn in the fifth spot of the rotation after the All-Star break, it will mark his first start since Aug. 7, 2014. That opportunity didn’t go well. Pitching for the Marlins, Flynn allowed five runs across four innings and took the loss.

An injury derailed his 2015 season after one appearance. While pitching with Class AAA Omaha, Flynn recorded only two outs before he was removed with a torn lat muscle in his back.

“Especially with the injury and everything, it’s been a long time since I’ve had a start,” said Flynn, who attended Wichita State. “I’ve matured since then. I’m ready for it.”

He has provided the Royals with a pleasant surprise in his work out of the bullpen. The 13 appearances have spanned 26  1/3 innings, during which he has struck out 25 and compiled a 1.03 WHIP (walks and hits per innings pitched).

While serving as a reliever, Flynn said he stuck primarily to two pitches — his fastball and slider. The repertoire will likely expand in a starting role.

“I think I’ve definitely simplified things — just going in there and throwing strikes,” said Flynn, who was acquired from Miami in a trade involving Aaron Crow. “You have to get ahead in the bullpen and make quality pitches in situations. To me, it’s simplified everything.”

This story was originally published July 18, 2016 at 6:38 PM with the headline "Royals turn to Brian Flynn to start Tuesday against the Indians."