Hammel gave up three runs on six hits and four walks while striking out two over five innings against the Twins on Thursday. He did not factor in the decision in the Royals' 5-3 loss.

EDGE Analysis

The control was lacking for Hammel in his Royals debut, with just 59 of his 95 pitches going for strikes, but his track record suggests better days are ahead. Last year, Hammel issued more than two walks just five times in 30 starts. The two strikeouts were also disappointing, but it wasn't a disastrous start by any means, and Hammel draws a more favorable matchup his next time out -- a home start against the A's.