Kennedy was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left calf strain Monday.

EDGE Analysis

The nature of the injury that forced Kennedy out of Saturday's game against the White Sox was initially unclear, but it's evidently a calf issue that's serious enough to keep him out of action for at least 10 days. After surprisingly turning into a solid closer last season and saving 30 games, he's failed to record a single save this season, posting a 9.00 ERA and a 1.79 WHIP in 14 innings of work. Chance Adams was recalled in a corresponding move.

Royals manager Mike Matheny said Kennedy (undisclosed) received additional treatment from the Kansas City training staff Sunday, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

EDGE Analysis

The nature and extent of the injury Kennedy suffered during his appearance in Saturday's game against the White Sox remains unclear, but Matheny noted the reliever was "hobbling" into the locker room Sunday. The Royals have thus far avoided placing Kennedy on the injured list, but that could change if he doesn't make any notable progress in the next couple of days.

Kennedy exited Saturday's game against the White Sox with an apparent injury, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

EDGE Analysis

After Trevor Rosenthal was traded to the Padres earlier Saturday, Kennedy was called on in the ninth inning, albeit in a non-save situation. He allowed several hits before appearing to pull up while fielding a groundball. As a result, he was removed from the game and replaced by Jesse Hahn. Prior to the injury, Kennedy allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits and no walks while striking out zero over one-third of an inning. The exact nature and severity of the injury are unclear.

Kennedy allowed one hit and one walk while striking out three across two innings in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Twins.

EDGE Analysis

Kennedy served as the opener and excelled against a tough lineup. He was projected to serve as the team's closer prior to the beginning of the season and has struggled during work in the middle innings. It appears that the Royals are experimenting with ways to get Kennedy on track -- he's compiled a 6.30 ERA across 10 frames -- making his role in his next appearance unclear.

Kennedy will serve as the opener in Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Twins, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kennedy was initially scheduled to open Friday, but the game was postponed due to rain. However, he'll still be ready to open the first game of Saturday's doubleheader with Jakob Junis serving as the primary pitcher.

Kennedy will serve as an opener Friday against the Twins, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kennedy was the presumptive closer leading up to Opening Day, but he began the season working in the middle innings and has a 7.88 ERA and 1.38 WHIP through eight innings. The veteran right-hander will look to get back on track with a couple innings as an opener Friday. Jakob Junis is scheduled to follow as the primary pitcher for the Royals.

Kennedy entered Saturday's game against the Indians in the sixth inning and threw two perfect innings with one strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Mike Matheny would not commit to Kennedy as his closer back in March, leading many to speculate about the pitcher's role. Matheny turned to Kennedy early in a tie game Saturday, with Greg Holland ultimately securing the save for Kansas City after Trevor Rosenthal worked the eighth. Kennedy was good during his time on the mound, but if this one game is any indication, he no longer has full possession of the closer job.

Royals manager Mike Matheny did not commit to naming a closer Wednesday, Josh Vernier of 610 Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

The news comes as something of a surprise, as Matheny doesn't exactly have a reputation as one of the game's more progressive minds. Kennedy saved 30 games with a 3.41 ERA and a 27.4 percent strikeout rate last season, but Matheny discussed the team's plan to stay flexible and use its best relievers in high-leverage spots prior to the ninth inning when necessary with Kennedy and the rest of the Royals' bullpen. Matheny could certainly fall back on a more traditional setup once the regular season actually begins, but for now, it may not be wise to treat Kennedy as the safe closer he's being drafted as.

Kennedy picked up the save against the Athletics on Monday, working around one hit to toss a scoreless ninth inning and close out the Royals' 6-5 victory. He struck out two and walked none.

EDGE Analysis

Kennedy managed to close the door after his teammates made a two-run comeback to take a 6-5 lead in the ninth inning, needing 21 pitches to record his 30th save of the season. The veteran has performed respectably in the closer role for the Royals, only blowing four saves and posting a 3.28 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 70:17 K:BB across 60.1 innings.

Kennedy allowed one hit and two walks while striking out two across one scoreless inning to earn the save Thursday against the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

Kennedy loaded the bases with two outs but managed to strike out Leury Garcia to end the game. He now has 29 saves on the season and has converted seven of his last eight opportunities. In that same span, he's allowed only one earned run, lowering his ERA on the season to 3.34.