KC's pitching plans coming into focus after 3 relievers optioned

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Royals’ pitching picture came more into focus on Saturday -- while setting up a few intriguing final decisions that must be made in the coming days as Opening Day nears.

Relievers Josh Staumont, Josh Taylor and Richard Lovelady were optioned before the Royals’ 6-3 win over the Dodgers at Camelback Ranch, giving clarity to what the bullpen might look like next week.

Taylor and Lovelady are both lefties who missed the 2022 season with injuries. Lovelady, coming off Tommy John surgery, struck out 10 without allowing a run this spring, while Taylor, who missed last season with a back injury, allowed three earned runs in 7 2/3 innings with eight strikeouts.

“For Josh Taylor and Lovelady, [the message] is keep doing what you’re doing,” manager Matt Quatraro said. “Keep building arm strength. Keep pitching, with both of those guys coming off a full missed year.”

Staumont was the most surprising move. About to enter his fourth big league season, the right-handed fireballer only allowed one run in eight Cactus League innings this spring, but he also walked five. Staumont is coming off an injury-riddled 2022 season and posted a 6.45 ERA with a 16.5 percent walk rate. It seemed he had established himself as a high-leverage reliever who would be wild at times. But the Royals didn’t want to continue that trend.

He can throw 98-100 mph, but he must iron out his command before he returns. In 2020, Staumont had a 14.3 percent walk rate but a 33 percent strikeout rate, and that latter number has dipped recently.

“With Staumont, the message is always ‘throw strike one, throw strike two,’” Quatraro said. “Get ahead. Because he’s got closer-type stuff. And he’s got a real gift. He’s got a gifted arm. So the message was just stay in the zone as much as possible.”

The message to all three was also that they’ll be in Kansas City at some point in 2023. The Royals were intent on creating pitching depth this offseason -- it’s one of the reasons they added Lovelady to the 40-man roster and traded for Taylor -- and they expect to use it throughout the season.

“To have depth means quality depth, so you can easily argue that those guys could be on the team, and you’d have a very good case for it,” Quatraro said. “But I think we’re happy with the fact that we were able to continue to keep our depth and have those guys in Triple-A.

“… It stinks to deliver the message. But I have no doubt that we’re going to need every one of those guys and more. It’s not fun. And I don’t expect any of those guys to ever be happy when you’re given that news because you’re competitive and you want to be here. But it’s a necessary evil of the game.”

With Staumont, Taylor and Lovelady out, who’s in Kansas City’s Opening Day bullpen? The Royals have not made it official, but it’s likely that they’ll have Scott Barlow, Aroldis Chapman, Amir Garrett and Dylan Coleman as one-inning options.

Taylor Clarke (who allowed one run in 1 1/3 innings Saturday), Carlos Hernández and Ryan Yarbrough can be multi-inning relievers. That leaves one spot still undecided. The Royals could reward Collin Snider or Jose Cuas for their good springs. They could turn to non-roster invitees Nick Wittgren, Evan Sisk or Ryan Weiss.

The Royals have options, which was always the plan.

“I think we all noticed it pretty early on, there are a lot of pitchers here competing for spots,” Clarke said. “It’s always a good issue to have. … And I think last year, we ran into issues with guys hurt or other stuff, and we didn’t have guys ready to step up. Now I feel like we have a lot of guys that are ready, waiting for the opportunity.”

The last spot in the bullpen could also depend on who the Royals peg as their fifth starter. After Opening Day starter Zack Greinke -- who allowed two runs in 5 1/3 innings with five strikeouts on Saturday -- the Royals will start Jordan Lyles against the Twins next Saturday. Brad Keller will pitch the series finale, setting up Brady Singer’s season debut on April 3 against the Blue Jays and former teammate Whit Merrifield.

With Daniel Lynch (left shoulder strain) starting the season on the injured list, the Royals’ fifth starter is undecided -- although Kris Bubic appears to be the frontrunner.

“Being stretched out,” Quatraro said when asked what factors into that decision. “Somebody we’re confident can give us those innings is the main part of it.”