Lynch earned the save in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Twins, retiring the only batter he faced in the ninth inning.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Manager Matt Quatraro informed Lynch on Saturday that he made the Royals' Opening Day roster, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lynch turned in a 6.19 ERA and 1.44 WHIP in 16 innings this spring while competing for a spot in Kansas City's rotation. However, the 28-year-old southpaw proved to be much more effective out of the bullpen last season, so the Royals will keep him around for Opening Day and presumably use him in a multi-inning role.

Lynch is expected to open the season in the Royals' bullpen, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

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.

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.

EDGE Analysis

Kris Bubic was seen as the leading candidate for the fifth starter role but he's struggled a bit this spring with a 5.59 ERA, although that comes with a 8:2 K:BB in 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.

Lynch (2-0) allowed two hits and a walk while striking out two over 2.2 scoreless innings to earn the win over the Nationals on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Michael Lorenzen (lower body) was pulled in the third inning, allowing Lynch to snag a win in a long-relief assignment. After struggling in a starting role in the first half, Lynch has thrived out of the bullpen. He has not allowed a run over 18.2 innings while giving up just seven hits with a 21:4 K:BB since he was recalled to the majors in late August. In that span, he's also earned both of his wins and a save.

Lynch (1-0) allowed a hit and struck out four without walking a batter over three scoreless innings to earn the win Saturday over the Twins.

EDGE Analysis

Lynch served as a de facto piggyback reliever after starter Alec Marsh went five innings. The Royals' four-run rally in the eighth inning put Lynch in position to be the pitcher of record, and Lucas Erceg was able to lock down the save. Lynch hasn't allowed a run over 7.2 innings across five appearances since he rejoined the major-league roster in late August. He's now at a 4.75 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 22:9 K:BB through 30.1 innings over 10 outings (three starts) this year. He is likely to end the campaign in a multi-inning relief role as long as he stays in the majors.

Lynch picked up his first career save in the second game of Monday's doubleheader sweep of the Guardians, giving up a hit and a walk over three scoreless innings of relief. He struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

The southpaw was called up from Triple-A Omaha earlier in the day to provide some length to the Royals' bullpen, and Lynch finished up a 9-4 win in the nightcap with a 34-pitch outing. He's been effective in Triple-A since being sent down in mid-June, posting a 2.80 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 61:19 K:BB through 12 starts and 74 innings, but Kansas City doesn't have room in its big-league rotation for the 27-year-old at the moment.

The Royals recalled Lynch from Triple-A Omaha on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Lynch will be available to eat some innings out of the bullpen during Monday's doubleheader in Cleveland. The left-hander has made three starts and two relief appearances in the majors this season, collecting a 6.35 ERA and 15:8 K:BB over 22.2 innings.

The Royals optioned Lynch to Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

The move comes one day after Lynch allowed six runs over 6.2 innings in bulk relief in a loss to the Yankees. Kansas City's decision to send Lynch back to the minors could indicate that the club expects Michael Wacha (foot) to be ready to return from the 15-day injured list next week, but no announcement on a replacement for Lynch in the rotation has been made just yet.

Lynch did not factor in the decision against the Yankees on Wednesday, allowing six runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out three batters over 6.2 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Dan Altavilla was tabbed to serve as Kansas City's opener Wednesday, but he got only one out while allowing five batters to reach base. Lynch therefore entered in the first frame and immediately yielded a sacrifice fly before Jose Trevino slugged a three-run homer against him. The left-hander went on to allow two more long balls -- one each to Giancarlo Stanton and Gleyber Torres -- and six total runs were charged to his ledger. Lynch at least managed to eat up innings, as the 6.2 frames were his most so far this season, but he's now allowed 14 runs over his past 10.2 innings and has an ugly 6.35 ERA on the campaign. It's unclear if he'll go back to working as a traditional starter or continue to pitch behind an opener moving forward, but either way there's a good chance he'll fall out of the rotation when Michael Wacha (foot) is ready to return.