The Royals placed Lynch on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to left elbow nerve irritation.
The injury may have played a part in Lynch's recent struggles; the lefty reliever has allowed four earned runs on 10 hits and four walks in 7.2 innings over his last seven appearances. Kansas City recalled right-hander Jonathan Bowlan from Triple-A Omaha to replace Lynch in the bullpen.
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Royals' Daniel Lynch: Strikes out four
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Lynch allowed one run on three hits and a walk while striking out four in 2.2 innings Tuesday against the Reds. He did not factor into the decision.
Lynch made just his second start in what was his 23rd appearance overall this season. He allowed a second-inning home run to Tyler Stephenson but also recorded season highs in strikeouts and outs recorded. The numbers aren't flashy, but Lynch owns a 1.75 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 16:13 K:BB in 25.2 innings this season.
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Royals' Daniel Lynch: Set to start Tuesday
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Lynch will start Tuesday's contest versus the Reds in Kansas City, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Lynch will toe the rubber for his second start of the season, after he previously tossed 1.2 scoreless innings in his first start last Wednesday against the Giants. The left-hander could see a slight increase in his workload Tuesday, though he's unlikely to reach the five innings he would need to qualify for a win.
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Royals' Daniel Lynch: Kicks off bullpen game
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Lynch didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against San Francisco, allowing one hit and three walks across 1.2 innings. He struck out two.
Starters Cole Ragans (groin) and Seth Lugo (finger) hit the injured list Saturday, leaving an opening in the back end of Kansas City's rotation. Lynch has been used as a starter in past seasons, making him a candidate to fill the gap despite pitching only in relief to begin 2025. However, he threw just 40 pitches Wednesday and couldn't make it through two full frames in what ended up being a bullpen game for the Royals. It's unclear if Lynch will make another start and if the Royals will try to stretch him out, but Wednesday's outing shouldn't inspire much confidence in Lynch's short-term prospects as a rotation option.
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Royals' Daniel Lynch: Getting first start of season
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Lynch is slated to start Wednesday's game against the Giants in San Francisco, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.
Lynch has 54 career MLB starts on his ledger, but he's made all but three of his 36 appearances out of the bullpen since the 2024 season and has pitched exclusively in relief so far in 2025. The recent moves of Cole Ragans (groin) and Seth Lugo (finger) to the injured list will temporarily create an opening in the rotation, and Lynch could serve as the Royals' No. 5 starter until one of two injured hurlers is activated. Lynch has maxed out at two innings out of the bullpen this season and hasn't recorded more than four outs in an appearance since May 3, so the Royals could look to cap him at around 40-to-50 pitches Wednesday and treat the game as more of a bullpen day. Taylor Clarke and Angel Zerpa should be relatively fresh out of the bullpen and would likely be capable of giving the Royals multiple innings, if needed.
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Royals' Daniel Lynch: Logs first save of 2025
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Lynch earned the save in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Twins, retiring the only batter he faced in the ninth inning.
Lynch was brought in for the ninth inning with two outs, and it took him only two pitches to retire Edouard Julien on a groundout to shortstop. It was Lynch's first save of 2025 and second in the majors, though he isn't expected to see many more opportunities with Carlos Estevez as the Royals' top closer. Lynch has allowed one hit and one walk while striking out three batters across 6.1 innings to start the season.
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Royals' Daniel Lynch: Poised for bullpen role
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Lynch is expected to open the season in the Royals' bullpen, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
He had been competing with Kris Bubic for the final spot in the rotation, but Lynch made a relief appearance Wednesday and is set for another one Friday as the Royals prep him for a bullpen role. Lynch proved to be a weapon in relief last season, collecting a 1.84 ERA and 27:8 K:BB over 29.1 regular-season innings.
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Royals' Daniel Lynch: In mix for rotation spot
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Lynch has put himself in contention for the fifth starter role with a strong spring, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports. He has a 1.80 ERA with nine strikeouts and no walks in 10 Cactus League innings.
Kris Bubic was seen as the leading candidate for the fifth starter role but has struggled a bit this spring with a 5.59 ERA, although that comes with an 8:2 K:BB across 9.2 innings. It's more likely Lynch begins the season in the bullpen, but he could join the rotation if there's an opening -- and Alec Marsh is currently dealing with a shoulder injury.
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Royals' Daniel Lynch: Blasted for eight runs
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Lynch did not factor into the decision in Friday's victory over Seattle, allowing eight runs on six hits and four walks over four innings. He struck out four.
Lynch stumbled out the gate immediately as he yielded seven runs in the first inning, capped by a titanic 421-foot, two-run homer by Ryan Bliss. The Kansas City southpaw entered the contest with a sterling 1.50 ERA, which ballooned to 5.63 after the performance. Lynch's next outing doesn't look any easier as he's tentatively slated to face the vaunted Yankees lineup at home.
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Royals' Daniel Lynch: Slotting into rotation Friday
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Lynch is scheduled to start Friday's game against the Mariners at Kauffman Stadium.
After being called up from Triple-A Omaha this past weekend, Lynch was lined up to make his third start of the season with the Royals during the team's series versus the Guardians earlier this week, but he was pushed back in the pitching schedule after Wednesday's game was postponed. He'll end up taking the hill for the opening game of a series with the Mariners and will go head-to-head with Seattle right-hander Bryce Miller. Over his three outings (two starts) with the big club this season, Lynch has delivered a 1.50 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 8:2 K:BB in 12 innings.
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Royals' Daniel Lynch: Called up, rejoining rotation
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The Royals recalled Lynch from Triple-A Omaha on Sunday.
Lynch was optioned to Triple-A on Friday, but he'll be back with the big club just two days later after Michael Wacha was placed on the 15-day injured list with a fractured left foot. With Wacha's injury likely to keep him sidelined for several weeks, Lynch will take the right-hander's spot in the rotation, according to Anne Rogers of MLB.com. Lynch previously made two spot starts and a two-inning relief appearance for the Royals last month, giving up three runs (two earned) on seven hits and two walks while striking out eight over 12 frames. The southpaw was similarly sharp over his four outings with Omaha in May (2.91 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 15:4 K:BB in 21.2 innings), and he'll look to carry over that strong form for what could be an extended run in the big-league rotation. He tentatively lines up to make his first start in place of Wacha on Thursday in Cleveland, though with an off day on tap Monday, the Royals could choose to push Lynch to the back of the pitching schedule and have him take the hill next weekend versus the Mariners in Kansas City.
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Royals' Daniel Lynch: Called up for Sunday's start
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Lynch was recalled from Triple-A Omaha and is starting Sunday against the Rangers.
The left-hander is taking the rotation spot of Alec Marsh (elbow), who is making a rehab start Sunday and could return from the 15-day injured list later this week. Lynch missed out on Kansas City's season-opening rotation after he posted a 2.77 ERA during spring training, though he hasn't pitched particularly well at Omaha in 2024 with a 5.86 ERA, 1.76 WHIP and 22:9 K:BB across 27.2 innings. He'll be taking the hill on three days' rest after tossing four innings for Omaha on Wednesday, so Lynch could struggle to hit the five innings he would need to qualify for a win.
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Royals' Daniel Lynch: Getting start Sunday versus Rangers
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Lynch will be recalled from Triple-A Omaha to start Sunday's game against the Rangers, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
He'll be entering the rotation in place of the injured Alec Marsh (elbow). Lynch hasn't pitched well this season at Omaha, collecting a 5.86 ERA and 22:9 K:BB over 27.2 innings. He will be pitching on three days' rest Sunday, having thrown 48 pitches over four frames Wednesday in his last start for Omaha. Lynch won't make for a recommended streaming option.
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Royals' Daniel Lynch: Optioned to Triple-A
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The Royals optioned Lynch to Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday.
Lynch had been making a strong case to open the season in Kansas City's rotation by posting a 2.77 ERA and 1.08 WHIP across 13 innings of spring ball. However, the 27-year-old left-hander will return to Omaha to begin the new campaign. Lynch allowed seven earned runs over 20 innings in Triple-A last season, and he could find himself back in Kansas City if he performs similarly in the minors.
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Royals' Daniel Lynch: Pitching in Arizona Fall League
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Lynch (shoulder) is pitching in an Arizona Fall League game Thursday, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com reports.
Lynch missed most of the second half due to a shoulder injury, but he logged one rehab start with Triple-A Omaha in late September and is now making up for lost time in the AFL. The 26-year-old left-hander could be a candidate for an Opening Day rotation spot with the Royals in 2024 if his health cooperates.
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Royals' Daniel Lynch: Setback with shoulder
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Lynch (shoulder) was unable to complete a scheduled bullpen session Monday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Lynch is scheduled to undergo follow-up testing later this week, and his IL stint is now certain to last longer than 15 days. He's been on the shelf since July 19 because of a left shoulder strain that was initially believed to be relatively minor.
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Royals' Daniel Lynch: Holds off Dodgers for victory
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Lynch (2-3) earned the win over the Dodgers on Saturday, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four batters over five innings.
Kansas City staked Lynch to a 5-0 lead after one inning, but he gave three of those runs back in the second. However, Los Angeles didn't score against him again, and the southpaw managed to finish five frames despite needing 108 pitched to do so. The victory was the second in three starts for Lynch after he failed to notch a win over his first four outings. He's been solid over his past three starts, posting a 2.00 ERA and 1.00 WHIP despite an unappetizing 8:6 K:BB over 18 innings.
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Royals' Daniel Lynch: Limits Rays to one run
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Lynch allowed one run on six hits and a walk while striking out two over six innings Sunday against the Rays. He did not factor into the decision.
The one run against Lynch came from a solo blast off the bat of Jose Siri in the third. The other five hits Lynch gave up all went for singles. He did register nine whiffs but had under five strikeouts for the fourth consecutive start. He's now allowed three earned runs or less in five of six starts this year and stands at a 3.96 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 24:10 K:BB over 36.1 innings. Lynch will hope to get back in the win column next weekend when the Dodgers come to town.
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Royals' Daniel Lynch: Blanks Detroit for first win
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Lynch (1-3) earned the win Tuesday, allowing just one hit and two walks over seven scoreless innings against the Tigers. He struck out two.
Lynch was superb in a bounce-back performance that came in the wake of the southpaw surrendering seven runs and four homers to the Reds in his most recent start. Lynch lowered his ERA to 4.45 with a 1.19 WHIP and 22:9 K:BB across five starts (30.1 innings) this season. The veteran is currently in line for a tough road matchup with the Rays in his next outing.
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Royals' Daniel Lynch: Allows two runs in no-decision
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Lynch allowed two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out six over 5.1 innings Sunday against the Nationals. He did not factor into the decision.
Lynch had a pretty successful season debut. He stretched out to 95 pitches in the outing and induced 14 whiffs. He blanked the Nationals through the first three innings but ran into some trouble in the fourth. Lynch allowed three straight hits and a walk but was able to strike out the next two batters to escape with just allowing two runs. The Royals figure to give Lynch a run in the rotation as long as he can stay healthy and he'll line up for a home matchup against the Rockies next weekend.
