The Royals kick off one of the largest series of the entire series on Monday. They’ll start a four-game series in Cleveland and currently sit three games back of the first-place Guardians. The Royals enter Monday’s doubleheader on a two-game losing streak after dropping their last two games at home to Philadelphia. Kansas City turns to Cole Ragans in hopes that he can turn around the team’s fortunes. That wasn’t the case for starters Brady Singer and Seth Lugo. Each starter struggled in their previous two outings, as the Royals were outscored 22-5.

The Royals recall LHP Daniel Lynch IV, option LHP Angel Zerpa to Omaha

Ahead of Monday’s contest, the Royals made a flurry of roster moves. The moves started on Sunday when the Royals announced they had promoted outfielder Tyler Gentry to the Major League roster. In a corresponding move, outfielder Hunter Renfroe was placed on the 10-day IL with a right hamstring strain. Monday, the Royals announced that LHP Daniel Lynch IV had been selected from Triple-A Omaha. Angel Zerpa has been optioned to Omaha as a result. He’d pitched well most of this season, but Zerpa’s August struggles were a clear sign that change was needed. Across eight appearances this month, Zerpa had pitched to a 9.82 ERA. Lynch, on the other hand, has been impressive of late for the Storm Chasers.

Lynch had a brief stint with the Royals back in May and June. He struggled heavily, allowing 16 earned runs across just three outings before being optioned back to Omaha. Since that demotion, however, he’s settled in nicely at Triple-A. In all, that was 74.0 IP across 12 starts for Omaha, pitching to a 2.80 ERA. He’s averaged more than six innings per start in that span, walking 19 against 61 strikeouts. By pure stuff, there hasn’t been much change for Lynch. He has still pitched in the low 90s with mediocre spin rates but could be key for the Royals down the stretch. With so many arms reaching (or past) career marks for innings, Kansas City will look for ways to save their staff in September in anticipation of a looming playoff run.

Royals recall RHP Carlos Hernández, place Will Smith onto the 15-day IL

In a move later this morning, the Royals announced they had placed RHP Will Smith onto the 15-day IL. The team placed him on the injured list due to back spasms, and Smith has really struggled of late. It’s been a difficult season in all for Smith, who signed a one-year contract with the Royals this past offseason. He’s been worth -0.9 bWAR this season, pitching to a 6.53 ERA. August has been his worst month of the season by far. Smith owns a 14.54 ERA in nine appearances this month. It’s unclear if those struggles were a result of injury. Either way, Kansas City will now turn its bullpen focus elsewhere.

With Smith hitting the injured list, the Royals recalled RHP Carlos Hernández. It’ll be the fourth big league stint for Hernández this season and he’s really started to settle in for Omaha of late. Across his last eight outings (including three in the Major Leagues), Hernández owns a 1.98 ERA. In that span, he’s pitched 13.1 innings with 19 strikeouts and just three walks. If he’s found his stride once again, Hernández could be a massive addition for a Royals bullpen still seeking some consistency. He touches the upper 90s with his fastball and could be an excellent addition to the backend with Lucas Erceg (assuming he’s found his stride for good).