Following the Royals spring training game against the Angels on Wednesday, the team announced they had optioned pitchers Daniel Lynch IV and Anthony Veneziano to Triple-A Omaha. With the moves, the team now has 52 players in major league camp. For Veneziano, the move was to be expected. He seemed like the longest of long shots to break spring training on the 26-man roster. His ERA over three spring training appearances was 9.95. Kansas City will keep Veneziano in a starting role, at least for now, as he looks to transition to Omaha to start his 2024 season.
The more surprising move of the night was Daniel Lynch. Lynch — who entered spring training in competition with Jordan Lyles for the fifth starter position — had pieced together a respectable stat line so far in Arizona. Over five appearances, Lynch pitched to a 2.77 ERA. The story goes beyond the ERA, however. Lynch entered spring training throwing in the low 90s. When we spoke with Lynch earlier this offseason, he mentioned some frustrations with velocity.
“I don’t think I have like a specific number, but ideally, I would get back to where I was, what I’m capable of being, throwing in the mid to upper 90s. Now that I’m healthy, I’m gonna be capable of doing that. So it’s just not rushing there, but just building up to getting there. “
Despite his strong ERA this spring, Lynch is yet to find the added velocity that he mentioned. The move to Omaha certainly isn’t what he hoped for entering spring training, but it will give Lynch a chance to continue building up his velocity. With Lynch optioned to Omaha, the fifth starter battle is officially between two arms: Jordan Lyles and Alec Marsh. Marsh is the presumptive starter at this point, it would seem. According to Beat Reporter Anne Rogers on Wednesday, “Alec Marsh has made such a strong impression this spring, allowing three runs across 14 innings, that he might be considered the favorite.”
With a week left until Opening Day, more roster moves like this one will surely be on the way.
Image Credit: Denny Medley, USA Today