24 Jake Junis RP

Junis (1-0) allowed two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out six over five innings in Thursday's win over the Blue Jays.

The righty put together another strong performance, and it seems like he may have found something this season after struggling through his first four MLB campaigns. Across four appearances (two starts), Junis has a 15:3 K:BB to accompany a 1.50 ERA and 0.92 WHIP. He's scheduled for his next start Tuesday against the Rays.

Junis will start Thursday's game against the Blue Jays, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

The Royals were able to use Junis out of the bullpen during the first weekend of the season, but he's in the rotation for the foreseeable future at this point. He's coming off a gem in which he tossed five shutout innings with six strikeouts April 7 in Cleveland.

Junis tossed five scoreless innings and gave up one hit and two walks while fanning six Wednesday against the Indians. He didn't factor into the decision.

Junis made his first two appearances of the season as a reliever, tossing two scoreless innings while fanning three and allowing two hits, but he also delivered the goods as a starter with a dominant performance in which he tossed 37 of his 58 pitches for strikes. It remains to be seen what will be Junis' role moving forward, but he's been up to the task when called upon thus far.

Junis will start Wednesday's game against Cleveland, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Previous reports indicated that Junis would begin the season in the bullpen, which would make some sense with the Royals having three off days in the first nine days of April. He's apparently set to start after all, though he may not go deep in Wednesday's contest, as he threw an inning of relief on both Saturday and Sunday. Carlos Hernandez would make for a logical piggyback option if the Royals decide to go that route.

Junis is expected to begin 2021 in the bullpen, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Junis started six of his eight appearances last season, but he struggled to a 6.39 ERA and 1.62 WHIP across 25.1 innings. The righty's bullpen role could also feature some spot starts -- with Danny Duffy (leg) questionable for his first turn in the rotation, Junis and Ervin Santana are the leading candidates to fill in if necessary.

Junis has worked on a cutter and changeup this offseason, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reported.

Junis is known for his slider, which has dominated his pitch mix the last few seasons. However, he's struggled with his fastball and had inconsistent overall results, so a new pitch would theoretically help keep opposing batters more off balance. Junis will be competing for a role in the Royals' rotation throughout spring training.

Junis agreed to a one-year, $1.7 million contract with the Royals on Tuesday, avoiding arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

This was his first year as an arbitration-eligible player. Junis logged a 6.39 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 19 strikeouts in 25.1 innings (eight appearances, six starts) last season. He gave up seven home runs in that small sample and will likely pitch in a swing man or long reliever role in 2021.

Junis was recalled from the alternate training site Wednesday.

The 28-year-old was demoted after allowing five runs during a spot start last week, but he'll rejoin the active roster with five games left in the season. According to Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com, Junis will be utilized in short stints as a reliever down the stretch.

The Royals optioned Junis to their alternate training site Wednesday.

The demotion comes after Junis was called on to make a spot start Tuesday in place of Danny Duffy, who missed the Royals' flight to Detroit. He lasted 2.1 innings in the 6-0 loss to the Tigers, giving up five runs on seven hits and a walk. Unless the Royals place a player on the injured list and bring Junis back in a corresponding move, his 2020 season could be over.

Junis (0-2) pitched 2.1 innings Tuesday, allowing five runs on seven hits and a walk, as the Royals fell 6-0 to the Tigers. He struck out two.

Junis labored during his time on the mound (42 pitches) and watched his season ERA jump to 6.94. Junis had not given up more than two runs in any start this season prior to now struggling in his last two appearances (10 earned runs allowed). He is slated to draw the Cardinals early next week.

Junis gave up five runs on seven hits with three strikeouts and zero walks over 4.1 innings during Tuesday's win over the Indians. He didn't qualify for the decision.

The right-hander served up homers in each of the first three frames, matching his total for home runs allowed in his previous four starts. Junis has a 5.57 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 14:5 K:BB over 21 innings and should next face the Pirates on Sunday.

Junis (biceps/triceps) is listed as the Royals' probable starter for Tuesday's game against the Indians.

Junis' inclusion on the Royals' pitching schedule for the series in Cleveland suggests he's feeling fine after he was removed early as a precaution in his last start Sept. 2, when he was struck in the right arm by a line drive. Since making his 2020 debut Aug. 2, Junis hasn't worked more than five innings in any start, which has played a factor in him settling for a no-decisions in three of his four outings.

Junis made a precautionary exit from Wednesday's game against the Indians after being hit by a line drive between the biceps and triceps of his right arm, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

The liner was 106.9 mph off the bat, leaving the right-hander minimal time to react. Junis allowed two runs on four hits with one strikeout and zero walks over four innings before leaving the contest. The 27-year-old's status for the next turn through the rotation should receive more clarity as he continues to be evaluated.

Junis did not factor into the decision during Wednesday's loss to the Cardinals, giving up two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out six across 3.2 innings.

Junis, making just his third start of the year after dealing with back spasms, faced a lighter work load in his return, though he still managed to strike out a season-high six batters in the process. The 27-year-old has given up two runs in each of his starts, bringing his ERA to 4.26 and WHIP to 1.58. He'll look to earn his first win Tuesday against Cleveland.

Junis (back) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list and will start Wednesday against the Cardinals.

Junis was sidelined while he dealt with back spasms, but he'll be ready to start Wednesday's contest. He won't require an opener, although it's unclear whether he'll face any limitations with his workload. Prior to his injury, the right-hander posted a 4.00 ERA and 4:4 K:BB over nine innings during his two starts. Right-hander Chance Adams was optioned to the Royals' alternate training site in a corresponding move.

Junis (back) will start Wednesday's game against the Cardinals, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

Junis has been increasing his workload since landing on the injured list with back spasms, and he'll be able to start Wednesday. There was some uncertainty as to whether he'd require an opener, but he will be making a traditional start. A corresponding move to clear room for the right-hander will likely depend on the Royals' bullpen usage Tuesday.

Junis (back) is traveling with the Royals on their road trip and could be activated from the 10-day injured list to start or work as a primary pitcher out of the bullpen Wednesday in St. Louis, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Kansas City is expected to have an opening in the rotation Wednesday with Danny Duffy not on track to make his next start on schedule while he deals with forearm fatigue. If Duffy is placed on the IL or pushed back to the weekend, Junis would be a logical option to fill in for him, given that he now looks to be reasonably healthy after completing a throwing session over the weekend without incident. Since Junis hasn't quite built back up to a starter's workload since being shut down earlier this month due to back spasms, the primary pitcher role may be a good way for the Royals to limit his pitch count once he's cleared to return.

Junis (back) threw a "pretty intense" bullpen session Friday, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

Junis was expected to throw several innings Saturday against the Twins but suffered back spasms while warming up and was placed on the injured list. The issue doesn't appear to be too significant, given that he's already throwing at seemingly full strength less than a week later, so it seems as though he won't be out for too much longer.

The Royals placed Junis (back) on the 10-day injured list Sunday.

Junis hasn't progressed as well as the Royals had hoped after he experienced back spasms Saturday, resulting in a scratch ahead of his scheduled turn as a primary pitcher against the Twins in the first game of a doubleheader. Kansas City opted for a bullpen game instead, making it unclear whom might replace Junis in the rotation when a new fifth starter is next required Wednesday against the Reds.

Junis suffered back spasms while warming up for Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Twins and was shut down, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

Junis was slated to serve as the primary pitcher behind Ian Kennedy for the first game of Saturday's twin bill. While Kennedy provided him with a nice foundation over the first two innings, Junis wasn't able to take the mound as a result of back spasms, and Gabe Speier took his place instead. The severity of the injury is unclear.