Kennedy worked around two hits in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday against the White Sox en route to his first career save.

EDGE Analysis

After working the eighth inning Opening Day, Kennedy got a chance to close things out in just his fourth career relief appearance. The right-hander allowed the first two batters he faced to reach but ultimately slammed the door. Brad Boxberger, who got the Royals' first save of 2019, worked the seventh inning Saturday, while Wily Peralta did not appear in the game. The owner of a career 21.6 percent strikeout rate, Kennedy is not exactly a priority pickup, but those already down a closer or two will want to consider a modest bid in FAAB.

Manager Ned Yost said Kennedy will begin the season in a relief role, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Royals had talked about moving Kennedy to the bullpen at some point in 2019, but a lackluster spring (6.30 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 7:1 K:BBB through 10 frames) prompted the team to make the move sooner than expected. The veteran right-hander will remain an option to start should an opportunity arise, however his 5.06 ERA and 7.8 K/9 through 52 starts over the past two seasons leaves something to be desired.

Manager Ned Yost said that Kennedy may be moved into a relief role at some point during 2019, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran starter hasn't been great for the Royals the past two seasons, posting a 5.06 ERA and a 1.8 HR/9 in that span. As such, the Royals brass may want to test out other starting pitching options at some point in 2019, especially if Kennedy continues to be ineffective. Kennedy's spot in the rotation appears to be safe for the start of the season, but a rough beginning of the season could put him on thin ice.

Kennedy (2-8) allowed two runs (one earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out four across six innings to earn the win Saturday against the Twins.

EDGE Analysis

Kennedy turned in his second consecutive strong outing since returning from the disabled list. Saturday's start was highlighted by his ability to find the strike zone as he began 21 of the 26 batters he faced with a strike and threw 70 percent of his pitches for strikes. While Kennedy still isn't dominating with punchouts, he has allowed only two earned runs in 12 innings since coming back from the disabled list.

Kennedy (oblique) allowed one run on four hits and three walks across six innings Sunday in a no-decision against the Twins. He struck out six.

EDGE Analysis

Kennedy looked sharp in his first outing in nearly two months, throwing 68 percent of pitches for strikes while throwing first-pitch strikes to 17 of 24 hitters. He allowed a run on three hits in the second inning but was able to limit baserunners the rest of the way for his first quality start since June 23. Kennedy lowered his season ERA to 4.92 with this outing and will look to deliver more of the same this weekend against the Twins.

Kennedy (oblique) was activated from the 10-day disabled list and will start Sunday's game against the Twins, Jarrid Denney of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kennedy, who has been sidelined since July 10 with a strained left oblique, is expected to join what will likely be a six-man rotation for Kansas City down the stretch. The right-hander was roughed up in both of his minor-league rehab outings Aug. 29 and Sept. 3 and owns a 5.13 ERA and 1.44 WHIP across 18 starts with the big club this season, making it difficult to be bullish on his prospects as he returns from the DL.

Manager Ned Yost said Kennedy (oblique) is expected to return from the 10-day DL on Sunday and start the series finale in Minnesota, Rustin Dodd of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kennedy will rejoin the big-league roster after pitching in a second minor-league game with Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Monday. This will mark his first start in the majors since July 10, during which he re-aggravated a previous oblique injury that forced him to go on the DL in late June. Moving forward, Yost said that the club will stick with a six-man rotation, so that should help to give Kennedy a little extra rest in between starts.

Royals manager Ned Yost said Kennedy (oblique) would make his final rehab start at Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Monday before being reinstated from the 10-day disabled list later in the week, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kennedy, who hasn't pitched for the big club since July 10 while battling a left oblique strain, began his rehab assignment at Triple-A Omaha last week, tossing 3.2 innings and giving up three runs. He tossed 60 pitches in that outing, so the Royals will likely have the right-hander bump his count up to the 70-to-80-pitch range Monday before determining how he'll fit in with the big club in September. Yost suggested over the weekend that he's leaning toward using a six-man rotation during the final month of the season, so Kennedy could be an option to fill one of the openings as soon as Saturday against the Twins.

Kennedy (oblique) covered 3.2 innings Wednesday in his rehab start for Triple-A Omaha and gave up three runs on four hits and a walk and struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Kennedy tossed 60 pitches (39) strikes in the outing, his first at any level since July 10 before he hit the disabled list with a left oblique strain. Given his workload Wednesday, Kennedy will likely require one more start in the minors to build up his pitch count before slotting back into the Kansas City rotation. Over his 18 starts in the big leagues this season, Kennedy has accrued a 5.13 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 87:34 K:BB in 94.2 innings.

Kennedy (oblique) will report to Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday to make a rehab start, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Though he's been on the disabled list since just before the All-Star break with the left oblique strain, Kennedy is only expected to require one start in the minors before rejoining the Royals since he has already been able to complete a pair of simulated games. Assuming Kennedy's appearance Wednesday goes without a hitch, he should slot back into the Kansas City rotation shortly after rosters expand in September. Heath Fillmyer or Jorge Lopez seem to be the most likely candidates to surrender a starting role to Kennedy.