Player Outlook
Jordan Lyles has been one of the most durable starting pitchers as he's averaging 31 starts and 179 innings pitched over the last three seasons. Unfortunately, that's where the plaudits end as he's posted a 5.28 ERA and 1.34 WHIP since 2021, including a 6.28 ERA for the Royals in 31 starts last season. Lyles' 10.0 percent K-BB% was the fifth worst among qualified starters, while his 1.98 HR/9 was the third highest among the group. Even if Lyles pitched to his 5.34 xFIP, he was unrosterable anywhere except the old Hacking Mass format where the goal is assembling the worst roster. Even with the Royals adding a couple of veteran starters, Lyles is slated to help fill out the back end of their rotation. There comes a time in a deep draft and hold league where you just want a guy who will start, and Lyles will be at the top of the available player list. The sage play is drafting the next guy.

Fantasy Stats

Year fpts
Fantasy Points
fpts/g
Fantasy Points per Game
ip
Innings Pitched
w
Wins
l
Losses
sv
Saves
so
Strikeouts
bb
Base on Balls (Walk)
era
Earned Run Average
whip
Walks and Hits Allowed Per Inning
2024 0.00 0.00
2023 2116.8 177.7 6 17 120 45 6.28 1.24
2022 33310.4 179.0 12 11 144 52 4.43 1.39
3y Avg. 276.58.6 179.0 9 14 137 51 5.28 1.34
Projections Powered by
Fantasy Performance by Week
2%
Roster
1%
Start

Fantasy News

  • Royals' Jordan Lyles: Hit hard in return Saturday

    Lyles (back) allowed five runs on seven hits and struck out one over three innings in a Cactus League game Saturday versus the Cubs. He did not walk a batter. Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports Lyles was able to get to about 50 pitches with a bullpen session following the start. Lyles dealt with lower-back tightness earlier in March, which has slowed his ramp-up for the 2024 season. Rogers adds that Lyles should be built up enough to start at the beginning of the season, but there's no guarantee just yet that the right-hander will open the year in the rotation. Both Daniel Lynch and Alec Marsh have been solid in spring games, with Marsh showing the most upside with a four-inning piggyback appearance after Lyles' start Saturday.
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  • Royals' Jordan Lyles: Returning to Cactus action Saturday

    Lyles (back) will start for the Royals in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Cubs, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports. Lyles has been battling back spasms but got through a recent live batting practice session with no issues, clearing the way for his return to games. The veteran right-hander projects as the Royals' No. 5 starter but is being pushed by Alec Marsh and Daniel Lynch.
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  • Royals' Jordan Lyles: Throwing off mound Saturday

    Lyles (back) will long toss Thursday before throwing a bullpen session Saturday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports. If the bullpen session goes well, Lyles will progress to a live batting practice session Monday. Lyles felt some lower-back tightness in a "B" game earlier this week but did some conditioning work without issue Wednesday and will look to continue his throwing progression. If healthy, he's the favorite to open the season as Kansas City's fifth starter.
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  • Royals' Jordan Lyles: Playing catch Wednesday

    Lyles (back) will play catch Wednesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports. Lyles departed a "B" game Tuesday with lower-back tightness, but he's feeling better a day later. The veteran right-hander expects to be ready to make his next scheduled spring start, but the Royals will wait to see how he recovers over the next couple days. Lyles is competing for the final spot in Kansas City's Opening Day rotation.
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  • Royals' Jordan Lyles: Experiences lower back tightness

    Lyles experienced lower back tightness Tuesday but is feeling better, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports. Lyles exited Tuesday's "B" game versus the Rangers with the injury after fielding a grounder. The details regarding the injury were initially not available, but he was feeling better when he left the complex and will be reevaluated Wednesday morning.
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  • Royals' Jordan Lyles: Sustains undisclosed injury

    Lyles (undisclosed) exited Wednesday's "B" game versus the Rangers with an injury after fielding a grounder, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports. The severity or nature of Lyles' injury wasn't immediately available. Until further details are provided, it's unclear how long the injury could sideline the right-hander.
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  • Royals' Jordan Lyles: Works to add velocity

    Lyles trained at Tread Athletics to increase his velocity and adjust his curveball this offseason, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports. Lyles allowed a hit and a walk while striking out three over two scoreless innings versus the White Sox on Thursday. He used his cutter more during his Cactus League debut, so it remains to be seen if his offseason work on his fastball will pan out. Lyles had an awful 2023 with a 6.28 ERA and 1.24 WHIP over 177.2 innings, but he also made 31 starts and pitched a career-high three complete games. He projects as an innings eater at the back of the Royals' rotation in 2024.
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  • Royals' Jordan Lyles: Cruises to sixth win

    Lyles (6-17) earned the win Friday, allowing five runs on four hits and one walk over six innings in a 12-5 victory over the Yankees. He struck out four. Friday's start marked the 13th time this season that Lyles has allowed five or more runs. However, it also represented the 28th time in 31 starts that he lasted at least five innings. An early 10-run lead allowed Lyles to play his normal innings-eating role and still cruise to an easy victory. The veteran righty will finish the season with a league-leading 17 losses to go along with a 6.28 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 120 strikeouts over 177.2 innings.
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  • Royals' Jordan Lyles: Grabs fifth win

    Lyles (5-17) allowed two hits and two walks while striking out three over five scoreless innings to earn the win Saturday over the Astros. Lyles was defeated by the Astros in his last start, but he was able to put together his second scoreless outing of the season in Saturday's game. The veteran right-hander has had a tough season, posting a 6.24 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 116:44 K:BB through 171.2 innings over 30 starts this year. He's allowed 16 runs across 29.1 innings in September, a modest improvement on his season numbers. He's tentatively lined up to make his last start of the campaign at home versus the Yankees next week.
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  • Royals' Jordan Lyles: Leads majors with 17 losses

    Lyles (4-17) took the loss Sunday, allowing four runs on six hits and one walk over six innings against Houston. He struck out six. Lyles also hit two batters to go along with giving up four extra-base hits, two singles and a walk. Lyles, who is now three losses clear of his next closest competitors, continues to eat innings for the Royals while opponents continue to feast when he does. His ERA in September now stands at 5.98, an improvement over his season ERA of 6.43. Despite those consistent struggles, Lyles has now tossed five innings or more in 26 of his 29 starts. He is currently scheduled to get another chance to face the Astros next weekend in Houston.
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  • Royals' Jordan Lyles: Tagged for seven runs

    Lyles did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing seven runs on seven hits over five innings against the White Sox in the second game of a doubleheader. He struck out three. Lyles was cruising Tuesday, holding the White Sox hitless until Eloy Jimenez cranked a home run to lead off the fifth inning. Lyles would then unravel in the sixth, allowing six consecutive hits without recording an out, as he was charged for six more runs. The 32-year-old right-hander has struggled to a 7.14 ERA over his last 10 starts (58 innings). Lyles is now 4-16 with a 6.44 ERA through 28 starts (160.2 innings) this season. He's lined up for a home matchup with the Guardians early next week.
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  • Royals' Jordan Lyles: Handed loss Wednesday

    Lyles (4-16) allowed three runs on seven hits and a walk while failing to record a strikeout over 5.1 innings, taking the loss Wednesday versus the White Sox. Lyles has gone eight innings in every other start over his last six outings, though he has a 1-4 record with 27 runs allowed (26 earned) over 37.1 innings in that span. The veteran right-hander was OK in this one, with Andrew Vaughn's two-run home run in the sixth inning ending his start. Lyles is now at a 6.24 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 104:41 K:BB through 155.1 innings spanning 27 starts this season. He's projected to make his next start on the road in a rematch versus the White Sox next week.
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  • Royals' Jordan Lyles: Snags fourth win

    Lyles (4-15) allowed two runs on four hits over eight innings Friday, striking out seven and earning a win over Boston. Lyles kept the Red Sox scoreless for seven frames before Alex Verdugo finally broke up the shutout with a two-run shot in the eighth inning. It's the fifth time this season that Lyles has tossed at least eight innings, but he was 0-4 in those outings prior to Friday's win. The veteran righty now owns a 6.29 ERA with a 104:40 K:BB through 150.1 frames. Lyles is currently lined up to face the White Sox at home next week.
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  • Royals' Jordan Lyles: Hit hard in Seattle

    Lyles (3-15) took the loss Saturday, allowing seven runs on six hits and three walks over three innings against Seattle. He struck out four. The 32-year-old righty allowed all seven of his earned runs in the third inning on three homers, including a Teoscar Hernandez grand slam. This marks the shortest outing for Lyles since he allowed seven earned runs to Milwaukee in 2.1 innings on May 14. In eight second-half starts, the veteran is now 2-4 with a 6.70 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 28:10 K:BB across 45.2 innings. Lyles is projected to make his next start at home against the Red Sox.
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  • Royals' Jordan Lyles: Takes loss in complete-game effort

    Lyles dropped to 3-14 in Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Cubs after allowing four runs on five hits and a walk while striking out two over eight innings. Interestingly enough, Lyles is now tied with Sandy Alcantara for the league lead with three complete games this season after going the distance for the second time in his last three starts. However, each time Lyles has lasted the whole game, he's lost. The Cubs jumped on him with two quick runs in the first and then padded the lead with a solo home run in the fifth and eighth innings. Lyles has now given up multiple home runs in consecutive games and sits at a 6.07 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 93:37 K:BB over 139.1 innings. His next start is expected to come next weekend versus the Mariners.
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  • Royals' Jordan Lyles: Rocked by Mariners

    Lyles did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing seven runs (six earned) on nine hits and one walk over five innings against the Mariners. He struck out three. After going eight innings last time out against the Red Sox, Lyles went just five innings and threw 91 pitches Tuesday. However, his shortened outing didn't prevent him from serving up four home runs on the day, setting a single-game season-high in the category. Over his last five appearances (28.2 innings), Lyles owns a 7.22 ERA and an 18:5 K:BB. He's tentatively scheduled to face off against the Cubs this weekend.
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  • Royals' Jordan Lyles: Goes distance in loss

    Lyles (3-13) took the loss Wednesday, giving up four runs on seven hits and a walk over eight innings as the Royals were downed 4-3 by the Red Sox. He struck out six. The veteran right-hander delivered his second complete game of the season in a road loss, and it's indicative of Kansas City's season that Lyles lost the other one too (May 9 against the White Sox.) He fired 70 of 102 pitches for strikes, and while he can provide the Royals with innings, that's about the extent of his value given his 6.13 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 88:35 K:BB through 126.1 frames this season. He'll next take the mound for a home start early next week against the Mariners.
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  • Royals' Jordan Lyles: Earns third win

    Lyles (3-12) earned the win Friday, allowing five runs on eight hits and zero walks over 5.2 innings against the Phillies. He struck out two. After a four-run sixth put Kansas City up by two, Lyles was pulled following a Trea Turner single that cut the Royals' lead to one. The bullpen proceeded to blank the Phillies the rest of the way, earning Lyles his third victory of the season. It wasn't pretty, but Lyles has now earned the victory in his last two starts after securing just one win in his previous 18 outings. His next start is likely to come next week in Boston.
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  • Royals' Jordan Lyles: Gets back into win column

    Lyles (2-12) picked up the win Saturday in a 10-7 victory over the Twins, giving up three runs on four hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out four. The veteran right-hander got staked to a 6-0 lead after the first three innings, and while Lyles stumbled in the fourth he managed to do just enough to record the win. Both his wins this season have come in his last five starts, but his 4.33 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 18:5 K:BB through 27 innings over that stretch highlight his limited fantasy ceiling in most formats. He's next lined up to take the mound next weekend in Philadelphia.
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  • Royals' Jordan Lyles: Takes 12th loss

    Lyles (1-12) took the loss Sunday, allowing five runs on nine hits and a walk over five innings against the Yankees. He struck out three. The Yankees jumped on Lyles early, scoring four runs on five hits in the opening inning. While Lyles was able to settle in a bit, allowing just one run over his final four frames, the Royals couldn't overcome the early deficit, tagging Lyles with his league-high 12th loss. The 32-year-old right-hander has struggled to a 6.19 ERA with a 1.29 WHIP and 76:32 K:BB through 19 starts (107.2 innings) this season. Lyles is currently lined up to face the Twins at home in his next outing.
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