Minor is set to open the season in the Royals' bullpen, Rustin Dodd of the Kansas City Star reports.

EDGE Analysis

The lefty threw a pair of scoreless innings on Saturday and Sunday in his first back-to-back appearances of the spring. Manager Ned Yost seemed pleased with how Minor bounced back after working Saturday, saying Minor "passed a big test" and had "really good stuff" Sunday. Minor has allowed just one run on five hits and four walks while striking out 11 batters in 12 total Cactus League innings.

Minor threw two scoreless innings allowing one hit with two strikeouts in his spring debut Monday against the Mariners.

EDGE Analysis

This is good news for Minor, who hasn't pitched in a Major League game since 2014 due to injuries. Manager Ned Yost was pleased, noting he "thought he looked good." The Royals will most likely continue to be cautious with the 29-year-old, but he will look to stay healthy and compete for a bullpen spot in 2017.

Minor (shoulder) will be stretched out during spring training, but Royals manager Ned Yost said that he views him as a reliever heading into camp, Josh Vernier of 610 Sports Radio reports.

EDGE Analysis

There was speculation that the embattled left-hander could spend more time as a reliever to try to maximize his output and keep him healthy, and it seems that Yost is planning on that being the case. This isn't to say that Minor won't make any starts in 2017, but given his last major league start came back in 2014 with the Braves and that he could only muster a 6.23 ERA in eight starts with Triple-A Omaha last season, the bullpen route seems to be his primary destination unless Kansas City's rotation becomes marred with injuries during the regular season.

Royals club officials have wondered how Minor (shoulder) might fare in the bullpen in 2017, the Kansas City Star reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's fair to wonder if Minor will be healthy enough to pitch at all next season, since he's been sidelined for two full years after suffering a setback during his rehab assignment in August. Nevertheless, pushing Minor to work 50-60 innings seems more realistic than getting him healthy enough to start again for a full big league season, and the Royals' financial limitations this offseason will likely keep the search for bullpen help on internal options.

Minor (shoulder) will be shut down for the remainder of the year, Rustin Dodd of the Kansas City Star reports.

EDGE Analysis

Minor suffered another setback after his last rehab start, effectively ruling him out of MLB action for the rest of the season, and he'll now be shut down entirely. The 28-year-old has battled injuries that have held him out of major league action since 2014, so there's no guarantee that he will be both healthy and effective enough by the start of 2017.

Minor left Friday's rehab start with shoulder stiffness and is now unlikely to pitch for the Royals this year, Josh Vernier of 610 Sports Radio reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Royals were hoping that Minor would be able to start for the big league club at some point this season, but his latest setback makes that unlikely. The extent of Minor's latest setback is not certain, but with just a few weeks of minor-league games remaining, he could be shut down for the season.

Minor (shoulder) isn't expected to come off the 60-day DL and rejoin the Royals until September, Rustin Dodd of the Kansas City Star reports.

EDGE Analysis

Minor has been increasing his pitch count during his rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha, most recently covering six innings (and 88 pitches) during Friday's outing. Given that Minor hasn't pitched in an MLB game since September 2014 while he's worked his way back from shoulder surgery, the Royals understandably aren't anxious to integrate him back into the big-league rotation. They'll wait until rosters expand in September before bringing Minor aboard.

Minor (shoulder) is scheduled to throw 80 pitches in a rehab start with Triple-A Omaha on Sunday, MLB.com's Jeffrey Flanagan reports.

EDGE Analysis

Minor is gradually building up his pitch count, and he is set to throw 80 pitches Sunday after tossing 63 his last time out. If he makes it through Sunday's outing without a setback, it's possible his next start could come with the big club later next week.

Minor (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha on Thursday, 610 Sports Radio's Josh Vernier reports.

EDGE Analysis

He recently threw a live batting practice session, so a rehab assignment was anticipated to begin this week. The Royals could desperately use some help in the starting rotation, and if Minor's rehab assignment goes well, he should get a shot to start games for the big league club in August. That said, it's worth pointing out that Minor hasn't been a quality big league pitcher since 2013, primarily due to injuries, but also ineffectiveness in his last full season in 2014.

Minor (shoulder) threw a live batting practice session Sunday, Josh Vernier of 610 Sports Radio reports.

EDGE Analysis

Minor indicated he felt good during the session, but he might be required to face hitters once more before the Royals clear him to start a rehab assignment. The left-hander had previously been taking part in a rehab assignment at Triple-A Omaha back in May before shoulder fatigue set in, but the issue appears to be behind him now.