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Royals' Daniel Lynch: Handed loss in first 2026 start
Rotowire
Lynch (4-3) took the loss Friday against the Cubs, giving up four runs on three hits with two strikeouts and two walks over 1.2 innings.
The left-hander was making his first start of the season after pitching well out of the bullpen across the first four months of 2026. A brief outing was expected given the role change, but Lynch's early exit Friday was also the result of ineffectiveness, as Chicago forced him from the contest during a four-run second inning. The performance ended an 11-appearance scoreless streak and the four runs allowed are the most he's allowed in an outing all season. Lynch still has a 2.64 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 37:14 K:BB across 47.2 innings this year, but it'll take some time for him to build up to a full starter's workload after he threw 35 pitches Friday.
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Royals' Daniel Lynch: Will get look in rotation
Rotowire
Lynch will start Friday's game against the Cubs, and the Royals intend to give the left-hander a longer look in the rotation, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
With a 1.96 ERA and 0.93 WHIP over 46 relief appearances, Lynch has arguably been the Royals' top bullpen option this season. However, Kansas City's rotation depth has been thinned with Cole Ragans, Stephen Kolek and Luinder Avila all recently undergoing season-ending elbow surgeries, so Lynch will get the chance to build back up as a starter, a role he hasn't handled full-time since 2023. Considering that he hasn't covered more than two innings in any of his 2026 appearances, he'll be operating on a limited pitch count Friday and will need time to get fully stretched out. Lynch didn't find much success while working as a starter to begin his MLB career, logging a 5.18 ERA and 1.52 ERA over 51 starts and 252 innings from 2021-23.
Lynch (4-2) earned the win in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Tigers. He allowed a hit without issuing a walk or recording a strikeout over one-plus innings.
Lynch entered in the eighth inning and worked a scoreless frame before Nick Loftin crushed a go-ahead solo homer in the top of the ninth to put the southpaw in position for the win. Lynch gave up a leadoff single to Riley Greene in the bottom of the ninth before giving way to Alex Lange, who secured the save. Across eight July appearances spanning 9.1 innings, Lynch has yet to surrender an earned run and has posted a 2-0 record. Overall, the 29-year-old has put together a quality campaign in a high-leverage role, producing a 2.08 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 34:12 K:BB across 43.1 innings.
Royals' Daniel Lynch: Logs 1.2 scoreless innings in win
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Lynch allowed a hit and no walks while striking out one over 1.2 scoreless innings in Sunday's 2-0 win over St. Louis.
After a strong outing from starter Stephen Kolek, Lynch entered with one out in the seventh inning and recorded five scoreless outs before turning things over to Lucas Erceg for the save in the ninth. While Erceg has held steady as the closer in Carlos Estevez's (foot/shoulder) absence, Lynch has quietly been the most effective arm in the Kansas City bullpen. The southpaw owns a 1.80 ERA and 0.80 WHIP with a 26:6 K:BB across 20 innings in 2026.
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Royals' Daniel Lynch: Collects four-out save
Rotowire
Lynch struck out three over 1.1 perfect innings to earn the save in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Mariners.
Lynch was tasked with getting the last out of the eighth inning and did so with no trouble before pitching a clean ninth as well. Lucas Erceg would normally get the closing call, but he had pitched the previous two days and was presumably unavailable for Sunday. Lynch had taken a blown save Friday against the Mariners but ended up with the win in that contest, which was just the third time he's been scored upon this season. He's at a 1.98 ERA, 0.59 WHIP and 18:3 K:BB with a save and three holds over 13.2 innings this season. Lynch saw a bit of late-inning work last year and should continue to be in the mix for setup work, at least until Carlos Estevez (foot) returns.
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Royals' Daniel Lynch: Throws scoreless inning
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Lynch picked up a hold Thursday, striking out one batter in a perfect eighth inning during a 10-9 loss to Detroit.
The 29-year-old left-hander maintained a one-run lead on an efficient seven pitches (six strikes), only for Lucas Erceg to blow the save in the ninth inning. Lynch has now appeared in seven games, allowing only one earned run in 7.2 innings and recording at least one strikeout in each appearance.
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Royals' Daniel Lynch: Gets $1.025 million from Royals
Rotowire
Lynch agreed to a one-year, $1.025 million contract with the Royals on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Lynch finished the 2025 campaign with a 3.06 ERA across 67.2 innings, although his 4.75 FIP indicates he may have been fortunate to get those results. He'll pick up a slight raise for 2026 and figures to continue working in a multi-inning relief role for the Royals.
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Royals' Daniel Lynch: Earns sixth win
Rotowire
Lynch (6-2) earned the win Sunday against the Athletics. He struck out three over 2.1 perfect innings.
Lynch closed the regular season in dominant fashion, retiring all seven batters he faced with a trio of punchouts. His 4.76 FIP is worth noting, but the southpaw turned in solid surface numbers in 2025, recording a 3.06 ERA and 1.36 WHIP over 57 appearances and 67.2 innings. The Royals didn't lean on him consistently in high-leverage situations, but he generally delivered when used and often provided more than just a single inning, as he did Sunday.
Lynch (5-2) earned the win Saturday against the White Sox. He allowed a hit and no walks with no strikeouts over two scoreless innings.
The southpaw came on in relief after Michael Lorenzen worked four innings in his return from the IL. Since returning from the injured list himself with an elbow injury Aug. 3, Lynch has posted a 3.48 ERA and 1.35 WHIP across six appearances, picking up two wins over 10.1 innings.
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Royals' Daniel Lynch: Back from IL
Rotowire
The Royals reinstated Lynch (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Sunday.
The left-hander has been sidelined nearly a month due to nerve irritation in his elbow, but he's ready to rejoin the Royals after making two rehab appearances in the minors. Lynch primarily works in middle relief but sees occasional high-leverage work with one save and four holds this season. He's been effective through 39 appearances with a 2.59 ERA, though his 1.42 WHIP and 29:22 K:BB could indicate some trouble on the horizon.
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Royals' Daniel Lynch: Starting rehab assignment
Rotowire
Lynch (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Saturday.
Nerve irritation in Lynch's left elbow landed him on the injured list July 6. Now that he has the green light to return to game action, the left-hander shouldn't require too many tune-up outings before being cleared to rejoin the Kansas City bullpen.
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Royals' Daniel Lynch: Shelved with elbow issue
Rotowire
The Royals placed Lynch on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to left elbow nerve irritation.
The injury may have played a part in Lynch's recent struggles; the lefty reliever has allowed four earned runs on 10 hits and four walks in 7.2 innings over his last seven appearances. Kansas City recalled right-hander Jonathan Bowlan from Triple-A Omaha to replace Lynch in the bullpen.
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Royals' Daniel Lynch: Strikes out four
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Lynch allowed one run on three hits and a walk while striking out four in 2.2 innings Tuesday against the Reds. He did not factor into the decision.
Lynch made just his second start in what was his 23rd appearance overall this season. He allowed a second-inning home run to Tyler Stephenson but also recorded season highs in strikeouts and outs recorded. The numbers aren't flashy, but Lynch owns a 1.75 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 16:13 K:BB in 25.2 innings this season.
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Royals' Daniel Lynch: Set to start Tuesday
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Lynch will start Tuesday's contest versus the Reds in Kansas City, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Lynch will toe the rubber for his second start of the season, after he previously tossed 1.2 scoreless innings in his first start last Wednesday against the Giants. The left-hander could see a slight increase in his workload Tuesday, though he's unlikely to reach the five innings he would need to qualify for a win.
