Latest rainout causes another rotation shuffle for Royals
The rainout Saturday at Minnesota was welcome, giving the Kansas City Royals pitching staff and especially the bullpen a needed rest.
The rainout Monday night at Detroit for what was to be the opener of a three-game series was not as desirable, but it allowed manager Ned Yost to maneuver his rotation again.
The revised rotation does not include Luis Mendoza, who will likely be moving to the bullpen as the long man.
The rotation lines up this way: Luke Hochevar and Jonathan Sanchez will start Tuesday and Wednesday at Detroit. Danny Duffy and Bruce Chen will start Thursday and Friday against the Yankees at the start of a seven-game homestand (four against New York, three against Boston).
While the Saturday starter is to be determined, it will probably be Felipe Paulino, who threw 6 1/3 shutout innings in a rehab start Monday for Class AA Northwest Arkansas. Paulino, who has been on the disabled list due to a strained forearm, would be starting in his regular turn Saturday with four days of rest.
Yost acknowledged Paulino would join the club in Detroit and throw a bullpen session Wednesday.
Duffy missed his previous start Friday because of elbow stiffness, but he said he is ready to make his next start. Sanchez had the flu Sunday, and the new plan allows him another day to recover.
The Detroit rainout has been rescheduled for Sept. 24, which had been an open date for both clubs. The teams will also play the following three days in Comerica Park.
