Yarbrough pitched 1.2 perfect relief innings without recording a strikeout in Saturday's 2-0 loss to the Twins.
Yarbrough was slowed by a groin strain during spring training, so he hasn't had the ability to stretch out yet. He was efficient Saturday, throwing just 12 pitches (nine strikes) to get five outs. It appears Yarbrough could be headed for a multi-inning role out of the bullpen this season, which would sap most of his fairly limited fantasy value. Should Kris Bubic falter as the fifth starter, Yarbrough still has a path to the rotation if he can build up during the season.
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Royals' Ryan Yarbrough: Set for two-inning appearance
Rotowire
Yarbrough (groin) is scheduled to start and cover two innings in Wednesday's Cactus League game versus the White Sox, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
After a three-week layoff from Cactus League action while he managed a groin strain, Yarbrough returned to the Royals' pitching schedule Sunday, working out of the bullpen to toss a scoreless inning in a 13-2 loss to the Diamondbacks. He'll increase his workload by another inning Wednesday, but Yarbrough still doesn't look as though he'll be on pace to handle a traditional starter's workload by the time Opening Day arrives. If his appearance Wednesday goes well, Yarbrough would likely then be cleared for one final 3-to-4-inning outing this spring, which should be enough for him to be a piggyback option or primary pitcher out of the bullpen when his first turn through the regular-season rotation comes up.
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Royals' Ryan Yarbrough: Slated for Cactus League action
Rotowire
Yarbrough (groin) made it through a one-inning minor-league appearance without issue Thursday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
He's set up for a two-inning Cactus League appearance next in what will be his first official spring outing since late February. Yarbrough has been battling a groin strain but doesn't appear to be in any danger of missing Opening Day.
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Royals' Ryan Yarbrough: Throwing in minor-league game
Rotowire
Yarbrough (groin) will pitch in a minor-league game Thursday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
He had been slated to pitch in a game on the back fields Wednesday before that was washed out by rain. Yarbrough hasn't appeared in a Cactus League game since late February because of a groin injury, but the Royals don't anticipate it affecting his readiness for Opening Day.
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Royals' Ryan Yarbrough: Pitching in minor-league game
Rotowire
Yarbrough (groin) is scheduled to pitch in a minor-league game Wednesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Though Yarbrough hasn't appeared in a Cactus League game since Feb. 27 while managing what the team has labeled as a minor groin strain, he'll be able to build up his pitch count Wednesday on the back fields at Royals camp. Assuming his groin checks out fine Wednesday, Yarbrough should have one or two more chances to pitch this spring as he looks to stake his claim to a spot in the Royals' Opening Day rotation. It's unclear if Kansas City has plans to deploy Yarbrough as as a traditional starter or as a primary pitcher out of the bullpen, with the latter role being one he became accustomed to over his past five seasons with Tampa Bay.
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Royals' Ryan Yarbrough: Dealing with groin strain
Rotowire
Yarbrough is nursing a "slight" groin strain, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
The left-hander will throw a bullpen Sunday and, if it goes well, he should be back in action shortly. Yarbrough is looking to begin his Royals tenure on a good note after posting a pedestrian 4.50 ERA in 80 innings for the Rays last season.
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Royals' Ryan Yarbrough: Heading to Kansas City
Rotowire
Yarbrough (oblique) agreed to a one-year, $3 million deal with the Royals on Tuesday, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.
The veteran left-hander was non-tendered by the Rays in November and will now continue his career with the Royals. Yarbrough often followed an opener for Tampa Bay and had a 4.02 ERA across his first three MLB campaigns, but the team opted to cut him loose after he struggled the past two seasons. He had a 4.50 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 61:22 K:BB across 80 innings during 2022 and should slot into the back end of Kansas City's rotation.
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Rays' Ryan Yarbrough: DFA'd by Tampa Bay
Rotowire
Yarbrough (oblique) was designated for assignment Tuesday by the Rays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
The left-hander finished the season on the injured list with an oblique strain, and it appears the Rays won't be tendering him a contract for 2023. Yarbrough was an effective rotation piece across his first three big-league seasons, but he struggled over the past two years and had a 4.50 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 61:22 K:BB in 80 frames during 2022.
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Rays' Ryan Yarbrough: Placed on IL
Rotowire
Yarbrough (oblique) was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
As expected, Yarbrough was placed on the IL after he suffered a right oblique strain in Thursday's win over the Blue Jays. The left-hander will now miss the remainder of the regular season but will have a shot at returning early in the playoffs. Calvin Faucher was recalled from Triple-A Durham on Friday to replace Yarbrough on the active roster.
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Rays' Ryan Yarbrough: Likely heading to IL
Rotowire
Manager Kevin Cash said after Thursday's win over the Blue Jays that Yarbrough may have suffered a strained right oblique, and it's "highly likely" the left-hander will be placed on the 15-day injured list, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Yarbrough followed an opener Thursday and allowed two runs in one inning before he exited with the injury, though he still ended up picking up his third win of the year. Assuming he moves to the injured list as expected, the 30-year-old will miss the rest of the regular season and will be eligible to return early in the playoffs.
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Rays' Ryan Yarbrough: Dealing with side injury
Rotowire
Yarbrough was diagnosed with right side discomfort after he left Thursday's game against the Blue Jays, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.
Yarbrough pitched behind an opener and gave up two runs over one inning before he exited the contest. The severity of the injury remains unclear, but the possibility of an oblique injury looms large on the left-hander's availability for Tampa Bay's playoff push.
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Rays' Ryan Yarbrough: Departs with apparent injury
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Yarbrough was removed from Thursday's game against the Blue Jays with an apparent injury, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
The left-hander followed opener JT Chargois and allowed a pair of solo homers during the second inning, and he was lifted after initially taking the mound for the third frame. The 30-year-old should be considered day-to-day until more information is available on the injury.
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Rays' Ryan Yarbrough: Set for bulk-relief role
Rotowire
Yarbrough is expected to serve as a bulk reliever behind opener JT Chargois in Thursday's game against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Since being called up from Triple-A Durham on Aug. 30, all three of Yarbrough's appearances have come out of the bullpen on days the Rays have deployed openers. In those outings, Yarbrough has gone 1-0 with an 0.84 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 6:3 K:BB in 10.2 innings. The Rays may continue to deploy him as a bulk reliever so long as the arrangement keeps yielding quality results.
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Rays' Ryan Yarbrough: Pitching behind opener
Rotowire
Yarbrough is expected to serve as the Rays' bulk reliever behind opener Shawn Armstrong during Saturday's game against the Rangers, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Yarbrough has been effective over two appearances in September, striking out four in 7.2 scoreless innings. Although Armstrong will begin Saturday's game on the mound, Yarbrough should have the chance to see plenty of work in relief.
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Rays' Ryan Yarbrough: Mops up Sunday
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Yarbrough covered five scoreless innings out of the bullpen in Sunday's 10-4 loss to the Yankees. He struck out three and gave up two hits while issuing no walks.
Coming into the day, Yarbrough hadn't been expected to pitch, but the Rays needed him to mop up after starter Luis Patino recorded just four outs before departing. Even though Yarbrough was excellent in long relief, his performance didn't mean much since he entered the contest with the Rays already trailing by nine runs. Yarbrough will likely be deployed as a primary pitcher out of the bullpen or as a starter at some point during next weekend's series with the Rangers.
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Rays' Ryan Yarbrough: Called back up to majors
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The Rays recalled Yarbrough from Triple-A Durham on Tuesday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.
Tampa Bay optioned Yarbrough to Triple-A on Saturday since the team planned to get by with a four-man rotation during its five-game week, but reliever Ryan Thompson's (triceps) move to the injured list Tuesday prompted the team to bring Yarbrough back from the minors earlier than anticipated. Yarbrough is expected to work out of the bullpen for the next few days before likely slotting back into the rotation when a fifth starter is next required Sept. 6 versus the Red Sox.
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Rays' Ryan Yarbrough: Sent down Saturday
Rotowire
Yarbrough was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Saturday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.
Yarbrough struggled mightily during Friday's start against the Red Sox, giving up five runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out three in 3.1 innings to take his eighth loss of the season. Although he had been relatively productive over his two appearances ahead of Friday's start, he'll still be sent to the minors to make room for Garrett Cleavinger on the active roster. The team hasn't announced who will take Yarbrough's spot in the rotation, but it's possible that the club rolls with a four-man rotation for the time being since the Rays have two days off next week.
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Rays' Ryan Yarbrough: Handed eighth loss
Rotowire
Yarbrough (1-8) allowed five runs on eight hits over 3.1 innings Friday, striking out three and taking a loss against the Red Sox.
Yarbrough took over in the second frame after a scoreless inning by opener JT Chargois and he promptly gave up a run. The 30-year-old lefty then gave up two more runs in each of the fourth and fifth innings. Yarbrough had tossed 8.1 scoreless frames over his previous two outings, but his ERA now sits at 4.87 through 16 appearances. He'll likely take the mound at home against the Yankees next week.
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Rays' Ryan Yarbrough: Filling bulk-relief role
Rotowire
Yarbrough is scheduled to work behind opener JT Chargois for Friday's game in Boston, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Yarbrough will be making his 16th appearance of the season Friday and his seventh while coming out of the bullpen. He's turned in similar results as a reliever (4.38 ERA, .357 wOBA in 24.2 innings) compared to a traditional starter's role (4.46 ERA, .323 wOBA in 40.1 innings), but he claimed his lone win of the season while working as a primary pitcher Aug. 15 against the Yankees.
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Rays' Ryan Yarbrough: Fans five in no-decision
Rotowire
Yarbrough allowed two unearned runs on three hits, a walk and a hit batsman while striking out five in 4.1 innings in a 3-2 win Sunday against Kansas City. He did not factor into the decision.
Yarbrough held the Royals scoreless through the first four innings, scattering two doubles and a hit batsman. After retiring the first batter in the fifth, a walk, an error and a single led to an unearned run and the end of his outing. Another unearned run later scored on a sacrifice fly. The lefty had been treading on thin ice for most of the season but has been much better of late, posting a 2.08 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 25:3 K:BB in 21.2 innings over his last five outings. His 28.7 percent strikeout rate in that span far exceeds his career rate of 19.4. His next appearance will likely be at the end of next week in Boston.
