Manager Ned Yost said he removed Kennedy after two innings Sunday to keep the right-hander an option for Thursday in New York, Rustin Dodd of The Kansas City Star reports.

EDGE Analysis

Dodd also reports that Nathan Karns (elbow) is likely headed to the DL, meaning the Royals will need adjust the rotation for the coming week. Whether Kennedy starts Thursday against the Yankees, or Friday against the Indians, he's got a tough assignment on tap. Over the past three seasons, the 32-year-old has faced off against those teams eight times. Kennedy is 2-5 with a combined 5.94 ERA in those starts. An injury update on Karns is expected early in the next day or two, and news on Kennedy's assignment should quickly follow.