Jakob Junis
P CLE
Thu 5/6/21 2:50 AM

Junis allowed a solo home run in one inning during Wednesday's 5-4 loss to Cleveland. He was charged with a blown save.
EDGE Analysis
Junis continues to struggle in a bullpen role. He allowed the game-tying solo shot to Jose Ramirez in the eighth inning. Junis has allowed four homers in his last 14 innings, spanning two starts and two relief outings. The right-hander carries a 5.19 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 29:9 K:BB across 26 innings. Without a spot in the rotation, there's little to like about Junis' current usage.

Jakob Junis
P CLE
Tue 5/4/21 1:12 PM

Junis (1-2) allowed five runs on four hits and a walk with two strikeouts over 1.2 innings to take the loss Monday versus Cleveland.
EDGE Analysis
Junis' return to a bullpen role went terribly -- he allowed a two-run single to Franmil Reyes in the fifth inning and a three-run homer to Eddie Rosario in the sixth. The 28-year-old Junis now owns a 5.04 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 25:8 K:BB across 25 innings. He's unlikely to see high-leverage work out of the bullpen, which greatly diminishes his fantasy value.

Jakob Junis
P CLE
Sun 5/2/21 8:59 PM

Manager Mike Matheny said Sunday that Junis will shift back to the bullpen going forward, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.
EDGE Analysis
Junis began the 2021 season by tossing seven scoreless innings across three appearances, but he posted a 4.96 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in 16.1 innings across his last three appearances. The Royals will call up Daniel Lynch to make his major-league debut Monday, so Junis will serve as a reliever going forward. While Junis pitched well out of the bullpen to begin the season, he's unlikely to be in the mix for save chances.

Jakob Junis
P CLE
Wed 4/28/21 12:10 AM

Junis (1-1) took the loss Tuesday at Pittsburgh after allowing two runs on six hits with nine strikeouts and one walk across 6.1 innings.
EDGE Analysis
The 28-year-old pitched more than five innings for the first time this season and posted a quality start, but he was tagged with the loss since the Royals mustered only one run and four hits. Junis has a 3.47 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 27:7 K:BB through 23.1 innings this season, and he lines up to face Cleveland on Monday.

Jakob Junis
P CLE
Thu 4/22/21 9:08 AM

Junis allowed five runs on six hits and three walks while striking out three over five innings during Wednesday's 9-8 win over the Rays. He didn't factor into the decision.
EDGE Analysis
Most of Junis' troubles came in the opening frame, as the Rays piled on four runs behind a two-run homer, two doubles and two walks. He settled down for a bit afterward, allowing just one hit and no runs over the next three innings, but Junis faced more struggles in the fifth, as the Rays opened the frame with three consecutive singles and tacked on another run. Junis has a 4.20 ERA and a 15:6 K:BB in three starts since entering the rotation April 7 and will look to rebound in a road matchup against the Pirates on Tuesday.

Jakob Junis
P CLE
Fri 4/16/21 1:05 AM

Junis (1-0) allowed two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out six over five innings in Thursday's win over the Blue Jays.
EDGE Analysis
The righty put together another strong performance, fanning six and only walking one. The 28-year-old threw 52 of his 81 pitches for strikes and has allowed only two runs in twelve innings of work. Junis is scheduled for his next start on Tuesday against the Rays.

Jakob Junis
P CLE
Tue 4/13/21 3:27 PM

Junis will start Thursday's game against the Blue Jays, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.
EDGE Analysis
The Royals were able to use Junis out of the bullpen during the first weekend of the season, but he's in the rotation for the foreseeable future at this point. He's coming off a gem in which he tossed five shutout innings with six strikeouts April 7 in Cleveland.

Jakob Junis
P CLE
Wed 4/7/21 9:40 PM

Junis tossed five scoreless innings and gave up one hit and two walks while fanning six Wednesday against the Indians. He didn't factor into the decision.
EDGE Analysis
Junis made his first two appearances of the season as a reliever, tossing two scoreless innings while fanning three and allowing two hits, but he also delivered the goods as a starter with a dominant performance in which he tossed 37 of his 58 pitches for strikes. It remains to be seen what will be Junis' role moving forward, but he has responded every time the Royals have needed him so far.

Jakob Junis
P CLE
Tue 4/6/21 2:58 PM

Junis will start Wednesday's game against Cleveland, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
EDGE Analysis
Previous reports indicated that Junis would begin the season in the bullpen, which would make some sense with the Royals having three off days in the first nine days of April. He's apparently set to start after all, though he may not go deep in Wednesday's contest, as he threw an inning of relief on both Saturday and Sunday. Carlos Hernandez would make for a logical piggyback option if the Royals decide to go that route.

Jakob Junis
P CLE
Thu 4/1/21 1:38 PM

Junis is expected to begin 2021 in the bullpen, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Junis started six of his eight appearances last season, but he struggled to a 6.39 ERA and 1.62 WHIP across 25.1 innings. The righty's bullpen role could also feature some spot starts -- with Danny Duffy (leg) questionable for his first turn in the rotation, Junis and Ervin Santana are the leading candidates to fill in if necessary.