Junis (back) will start Wednesday's game against the Cardinals, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

EDGE Analysis

Junis has been increasing his workload since landing on the injured list with back spasms, and he'll be able to start Wednesday. While there was some uncertainty as to whether he'd require an opener, it appears as though he'll be ready to serve as a starter on his own. A corresponding move to clear room for the right-hander will likely depend on the Royals' bullpen usage Tuesday.

Junis (back) is traveling with the Royals on their road trip and could be activated from the 10-day injured list to start or work as a primary pitcher out of the bullpen Wednesday in St. Louis, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kansas City is expected to have an opening in the rotation Wednesday with Danny Duffy not on track to make his next start on schedule while he deals with forearm fatigue. If Duffy is placed on the IL or pushed back to the weekend, Junis would be a logical option to fill in for him, given that he now looks to be reasonably healthy after completing a throwing session over the weekend without incident. Since Junis hasn't quite built back up to a starter's workload since being shut down earlier this month due to back spasms, the primary pitcher role may be a good way for the Royals to limit his pitch count once he's cleared to return.

Junis (back) threw a "pretty intense" bullpen session Friday, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

EDGE Analysis

Junis was expected to throw several innings Saturday against the Twins but suffered back spasms while warming up and was placed on the injured list. The issue doesn't appear to be too significant, given that he's already throwing at seemingly full strength less than a week later, so it seems as though he won't be out for too much longer.

The Royals placed Junis (back) on the 10-day injured list Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Junis hasn't progressed as well as the Royals had hoped after he experienced back spasms Saturday, resulting in a scratch ahead of his scheduled turn as a primary pitcher against the Twins in the first game of a doubleheader. Kansas City opted for a bullpen game instead, making it unclear whom might replace Junis in the rotation when a new fifth starter is next required Wednesday against the Reds.

Junis suffered back spasms while warming up for Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Twins and was shut down, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

EDGE Analysis

Junis was slated to serve as the primary pitcher behind Ian Kennedy for the first game of Saturday's twin bill. While Kennedy provided him with a nice foundation over the first two innings, Junis wasn't able to take the mound as a result of back spasms, and Gabe Speier took his place instead. The severity of the injury is unclear.

Junis will serve as the primary pitcher behind Ian Kennedy in Game 1 of a doubleheader against the Twins on Saturday, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

EDGE Analysis

Junis was initially scheduled to serve behind an opener Friday, but the game was postponed due to rain. The seven-inning format of the doubleheader could benefit Junis since he hasn't been able to last very long in either of his first two appearances this season.

Junis will serve as the primary pitcher behind Ian Kennedy against the Twins on Friday, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Mike Matheny wants Junis to only go through the lineup twice, so Kennedy will serve as the opener to help get him deeper into the game. Junis has a 4.00 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 4;4 K:BB through his first two starts (nine innings) of the season.

Junis allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out two over 4.2 innings in a no-decision against the Twins on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

The Twins did what they do with a couple long balls, but both were solo shots, and that was the extent of the damage. Junis threw 76 pitches in this outing after throwing 64 pitches in his 2020 debut last weekend. Junis began the season on the COVID-19 injured list and it will be a couple starts yet before he's fully built up.

Junis allowed two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out two over 4.1 innings in Sunday's loss to the White Sox. He didn't factor into the decision.

EDGE Analysis

Junis was relatively effective in his season debut after recovering from COVID-19, tossing 64 pitches while giving up just two runs. As the right-hander continues to pitch this season, his pitch count should keep building up. Junis posted a 5.24 ERA and 1.43 WHIP over 175.1 innings across 31 starts with the Royals last season. His next start should come at home Friday against the Twins.

The Royals activated Junis from the COVID-19 injured list ahead of his scheduled start Sunday against the White Sox, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ronald Bolanos, who drew the start Saturday in a bullpen game for the Royals, was optioned to the club's alternate training site in a corresponding move. After testing positive for COVID-19 in July, Junis was shut down shortly before Opening Day and missed one turn through the rotation while he waited to clear all of MLB's coronavirus-related protocols. The right-hander should be an important innings eater for the Royals, but his fantasy value may be limited to AL-only or deeper mixed leagues due to his issues with the long ball. He allowed at least 30 home runs in each of the past two seasons and turned in a career-worst 5.24 ERA in 2019.