65 Jake Junis SP

Junis (3-3) took the loss Monday as the Royals were downed 6-4 by the Astros, giving up five runs on nine hits -- including three home runs -- and two walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out three.

After a couple of solid starts, Junis fell victim to the long ball once again. The right-hander continues to live around the strike zone, having walked more than two batters only once in eight outings, but he hasn't been fooling enough batters to thrive with that approach. He'll take a 5.52 ERA and 37:15 K:BB through 44 innings into his next start Sunday, at home against the Phillies.

Junis (3-2) allowed two runs on six hits with two strikeouts and two walks across 6.1 innings in a victory against the Rays on Wednesday.

The Rays had baserunners in five of the seven innings in which Junis took the mound, but the right-hander limited the Rays to only two runs from a double in the second. Junis had a tough start to the year, but he's yielded only three runs in his last 11.1 innings (2.38 ERA) over his most recent two starts. Overall, he is 3-2 with a 5.12 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 34 strikeouts in 38.2 innings this year. His next outing is scheduled for Sunday at the Tigers.

Junis will start the first game of the Royals' doubleheader Wednesday with the Rays.

Junis had been scheduled to take the hill Tuesday, but a postponement due to inclement weather nixed those plans. He'll simply be moved back a day in the schedule to start the split doubleheader, with the Royals set to call up Glenn Sparkman from Triple-A Omaha to serve as the starter in Game 2. Since Sparkman will be tasked with opposing reigning AL Cy Young winner Blake Snell, Junis could have an easier path to claiming his third win of 2019 while squaring off against Rays opener Ryne Stanek.

Following the postponement of Tuesday's game, Junis will start one of Wednesday's games against the Rays, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Junis was scheduled to pitch Tuesday, but rain derailed that plan. As a result, he'll receive one extra day of rest before toeing the rubber.

Junis (hand) is listed as the probable starter for Tuesday's game against the Rays.

He left his last start with a hand contusion but will not miss a turn in the rotation. Junis lines up opposite Blake Snell in this outing and will make a second start next week on Sunday in Detroit.