Royals’ Dillon Gee could miss next start after earning win in 14-inning marathon
Dillon Gee began Wednesday night inside the Royals’ dugout, awaiting his next start on Saturday in Minnesota. He ended the night with his fourth win of the season, throwing two scoreless innings and striking out three in a 3-2 victory over the White Sox in 14 innings.
“What a crazy game that was,” Gee said. “I was sitting in the dugout all game long.”
Gee’s performance capped a marvelous night from the Kansas City bullpen, which allowed a run in 7 2/3 innings. It also put his next start in jeopardy. In the moments after the victory, Royals manager Ned Yost said Gee was questionable to start against the Twins on Saturday in Minnesota.
“It’s probably a little iffy,” Yost said.
Gee had not pitched since starting against the Toronto Blue Jays last Friday. The Royals elected to delay his spot in the rotation after a day off earlier this week. On Wednesday, Gee threw 32 pitches. With the bullpen emptied out, it could have been more.
“There was no plan,” Yost said. “That was it. Gee was going to go until we won or lost. We didn’t have any other options.”
If Gee is unable to start on Saturday, the Royals could turn to right-hander Chris Young or left-hander Brian Flynn, two pitchers who also threw on Wednesday. (Flynn logged a third of an inning, while Young threw a scoreless frame.) They also possess left-hander Matt Strahm, who was unavailable on Wednesday but could go multiple innings on Saturday. They could also dip into their minor-league system for fresh arms, though no logical fill-in exists at the moment.
For now, the Royals will wait to decide. In the meantime, Gee expressed optimism he could still start on Saturday.
“I can’t answer that,” Gee said. “In my mind, I think I’ll be fine, because I’m used to throwing bullpens and having one day off anyway. But that decision is not up to me.”
Rustin Dodd: 816-234-4937, @rustindodd. Download True Blue, The Star’s Royals app.
This story was originally published August 11, 2016 at 1:52 AM with the headline "Royals’ Dillon Gee could miss next start after earning win in 14-inning marathon."