Royals Notes: Marsh, Lynch, Selby, Hernandez

The Royals didn’t have a right-hander Alec Marsh more than a week now, but manager Matt Quatraro told reporters yesterday (incl Anne Rogers of MLB.com) that while Marsh is only expected to throw 60-65 pitches in today’s rehab start, the team is hopeful he can return to the big leagues after just one good appearance assuming today’s outing goes well.
That timeline would put Marsh, 26 later this month, in line to at least stay on the injured list and plan to take the ball in Anaheim against the Angels on Friday. If the righty is able to return after the limited game, it will provide a big boost for the Royals as they look to capitalize on a hot start that has seen them go 20-14 so far this season, which has put them in just 1.5 games. behind the AL Central lead.
Before he was shelved with an elbow sprain late last month, Marsh was a huge part of the team’s success. Through five starts this season, the righty sports a 2.70 ERA and 3.26 FIP despite a poor 15.9% strikeout rate. While he’s posted a solid 6.5% walk rate so far this season, a .235 BABIP and slugging 3.2% home run/fly ball rate both suggest a decline may be on his way, as does his 4.66 xERA and 4.39 xFIP. Whatever happens when Marsh’s results go back to that of the swing arm, however, it will still be the best of his rookie campaign. Marsh struggled in 74 1/3 innings of work last year, posting a 5.69 ERA with a nearly identical 5.70 FIP despite a 24.9% strikeout rate.
As Marsh prepares to return to the big leagues, the Royals announced today that they have recalled the lefty. Daniel Lynch IVchoosing the right hand Colin Selby to make Lynch’s place on the active roster. Jaylon T. Thompson of the Kansas City Star reported last night that Lynch was expected to start this afternoon’s game against the Rangers. Lynch, 27, was a top-30 hitter but has struggled at the big league level so far in his career, with a 5.19 ERA and 4.79 FIP in 252 career innings across 51 starts since his debut. . for the 2021 season. Those numbers include nine starts at the big league level last year where he posted a 4.64 ERA and 5.17 FIP amid rotator cuff and shoulder issues.
Lynch returned to action during Spring Training but ultimately failed in the fifth starting role in Kansas City to Marsh, leaving him demoted to the Triple-A level to open the season. He struggled badly in his six starts this season, posting a 5.86 ERA in 27 2/3 innings of work while striking out 17.3% of the batters he faced. However, the Royals will turn to him early today, where he will take on the tough task of facing the World Series champions Rangers.
Marsh isn’t the only forward making progress in their bid to come back from the injured list. According to MLB.com’s Injury Tracker, right-handed Carlos Hernandez is starting to ramp up his career during his reassignment to the Triple-A level after missing the start of the season with a shoulder impingement. The Royals have enjoyed solid production from their bullpen this season thanks to veteran additions like John SchreiberTyler Duffy, and Nick Andersonbut it’s okay Matt Sauer He has struggled in a long relief role so far this season and a healthy return for Hernandez, who struck out 25.7% of the batters he faced last year en route to a solid 4.28 FIP, could give Kansas City a more reliable long-term option. of the cow.