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2019 was a rough year for Jakob Junis. After closing an up and down 2018 season with a 3.28 ERA across August and September, only two pitchers had a worse ERA than his 5.24 mark in 2019.
And across the last two seasons, only Julio Teheran and Steven Matz have been less valuable than Junis among pitchers with at least 300 innings pitched. And headed into the 2020 season, the former 29th round pick could have as many as three 2018 first-round picks breathing down his neck for spots in the Royals starting rotation.
While Junis’ spot in the rotation should be safe in 2020, Brady Singer, Daniel Lynch, and Jackson Kowar will be in Kansas City sooner rather than later, so he might not have many more chances to solidify his spot in 2021 and beyond.
He will make his first spring training start of the season this afternoon against our old friend Lorenzo Cain and the Brewers. The game was supposed to feature Salvador Perez’s first outing behind the plate, but a dental procedure will keep him at the DH.
I have the day off today but the talented @JesseSanchezMLB is filling in. Salvy is still recovering from a dental procedure and Jesse says Salvy now is scheduled to get behind the dish tomorrow. https://t.co/6q3MNGKLuU
— Jeffrey Flanagan (@FlannyMLB) February 27, 2020
Today’s game will be televised on FOX Sports Kansas City, their first broadcast of the spring.
Our first spring game of the year on FSKC and FSGO: https://t.co/lJ0xlRuyo2 https://t.co/CY3MCtqKn9
— FOX Sports Kansas City (@FSKansasCity) February 27, 2020
Listen: KXTR 1660
Watch: FSKC
Lineups:
Today’s lineup against the Royals in Phoenix. First pitch 2:05 CT on @fswisconsin. #ThisIsMyCrew #CactusCrew
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) February 27, 2020
Cain - CF
Narváez - DH
García - RF
Morrison - 1B
Gyorko - 3B
Gamel - LF
Piña - C
Arcia - SS
Rodríguez - 2B
Anderson - LHP pic.twitter.com/1MJFDEdSTd
Heading down the road to Phoenix for an afternoon contest against the Brew Crew.
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) February 27, 2020
The game will be televised on @FSKansasCity. #AlwaysRoyal // #RoyalsST pic.twitter.com/s5w4vv7Sre