Royals' Jordan Lyles: Likely to miss extended time
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Lyles is likely to be away from the Royals for an extended period of time as he deals with a personal issue, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Lyles was placed on the inactive list over the weekend, and the Royals don't seem prepared to have him back in the bullpen anytime soon. After losing out on a rotation spot coming out of spring training, Lyles had been pitching well in a low-leverage relief role, tossing five scoreless innings through his first five appearances of the season.
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Royals' Jordan Lyles: Placed on inactive list
Rotowire
The Royals placed Lyles (personal) on the inactive list Saturday.
Lyles will step away from the team as he tends to a personal matter. The 33-year-old righty has yet to allow a run through five innings this season, and Anthony Veneziano will come up from Triple-A Omaha to replace him in the bullpen.
Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Thursday that Lyles will open the season in the bullpen, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Lyles has been limited to just five innings this spring because of a back problem and has served up four home runs during that time. The right-hander will be an overpaid long reliever, but Quatraro is making a logical decision in picking Alec Marsh over Lyles, who posted a 6.28 ERA in 31 starts last year.
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Royals' Jordan Lyles: Falling behind Marsh?
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Lyles could be trailing Alec Marsh in the fifth starter competition for the Royals, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Not only has Marsh out-pitched Lyles by a wide margin, but the latter has also been plagued by a lower-back issue this spring that has limited him to just five innings. Lyles will make another start Thursday, but he might not be stretched out sufficiently enough to open the year in the rotation. The Royals could opt to put Lyles on the injured list to begin the season, allowing him to build up his stamina while giving Marsh a shot in the rotation to see what he can do.
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Royals' Jordan Lyles: Hit hard in return Saturday
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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.
Royals' Jordan Lyles: Returning to Cactus action Saturday
Rotowire
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
