Royals designate Brian Flynn for assignment

The Royals have designated left-handed pitcher Brian Flynn for assignment, likely ending his tenure in Kansas City. The club also recalled left-handed pitcher Richard Lovelady from Triple-A Omaha, sent right-hander Jake Newberry to Triple-A Omaha, and activated picher Jakob Junis from the paternity list. Junis will make the start against the Indians tonight.

Flynn had served a long-man this year, but had an ERA of 5.22 with a FIP of 4.65 in 29 ¹⁄₃ innings with just 22 strikeouts and 17 walks. He gave up two runs in two innings of relief work last night in extra innings against Cleveland, and has given up 13 runs in 12 innings this month. The 29-year old was originally acquired by the Royals back in 2014 along with pitche Reid Redman for pitcher Aaron Crow. In four seasons with the Royals, he had an ERA of 3.76 in 162 ²⁄₃ innings, with his best season coming in 2016, when he posted a 2.60 ERA in 55 ¹⁄₃ innings. He notably missed time in 2017 after cracking his ribs falling through the roof of his barn. Flynn was earning $800,000 this season.

Lovelady returns after being demoted to Omaha in late May. He had a 4.26 ERA and 3.70 FIP with 11 strikeouts and four walks in 12 ²⁄₃ innings in his previous stint with the Royals. The 24-year old had a 1.59 ERA in Omaha, giving up just four earned runs in 22 ²⁄₃ innings with five walks and 25 strikeouts.

There are increasing rumors the Royals are close to trading left-handed reliever Jake Diekman, although it is unclear that these moves are related at all with those rumors. Lovelady joins Diekman and Tim Hill as lefties currently in the bullpen.