Kansas City Royals set rotation. Here’s who got 5th spot (& who’s off to Triple-A)

The Kansas City Royals have made a decision regarding their fifth starter spot.

On Wednesday, the Royals optioned pitchers Daniel Lynch IV and Anthony Veneziano to Triple-A Omaha. On Thursday, the rotation was set: Alec Marsh earned the final spot in the rotation, with Jordan Lyles moving to the bullpen.

Both Lynch and Veneziano were fighting to make the roster. They were competing with Lyles, Marsh and Angel Zerpa for the final spot in the starting rotation.

After Wednesday’s game, Royals manager Matt Quatraro revealed Zerpa will operate in the bullpen.

“We know how durable (Zerpa) is and how versatile he is,” Quatraro said postgame. “He will be in the bullpen, but whatever role we need.”

Lynch, 27, pitched well this spring. He returned from a left shoulder strain that sidelined him for much of the 2023 season. Lynch posted a 2.77 ERA in 13 innings. He appeared in five games (three starts) and held opponents to a .196 batting average.

It’s possible Lynch will rejoin the Royals this season. For now, he gets a chance to earn regular starts with the Omaha Storm Chasers.

Veneziano, 26, made his MLB debut last season. He pitched a scoreless 2 ⅓ innings in a relief role down the stretch. The Royals utilized him in the bullpen in Cactus League play. Veneziano allowed seven earned runs in three appearances.

The Royals hope to continue building his innings. Veneziano could draw starts in Triple-A alongside Lynch this season. KC likely wouldn’t hesitate to recall Veneziano if he is needed in the bullpen.

The Royals were set for split-squad games against the Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Guardians on Thursday, with Lyles and Marsh as the probable starters — Lyles against the White Sox, Marsh against the Guardians.

Lyles enters his 14th season and has been a reliable starter — providing innings and saving the bullpen, even while his ERA and other stats faltered.

However, Marsh has shined this spring in earning the fifth spot. He is pitching with confidence after a subpar rookie campaign. Marsh owns a 1.93 ERA in 14 innings and posted 17 strikeouts to just four walks. He is limiting opponents to a .163 batting average.

The Royals had already decided the rest of their rotation. Cole Ragans was named the 2024 opening day starter. He will face the Minnesota Twins on March 28 at Kauffman Stadium.

KC will also feature newcomers Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha, and returnee Brady Singer during the rotation cycle.

“I want to do whatever I can to help the team,” Marsh said earlier this spring. “At the end of the day, the only stat that I care about is if the team wins or not. So any role that I’m gonna be put in, that’s gonna help the team, is what I want to do.”