https://www.royalsreview.com/2018/3/...royals-in-2018

Looks like Junis will start the season in Omaha with Skoglund getting his spot on the 25 man roster. Skoglund will work out of the bullpen. Junis would return in time to make his start as the fifth starter and Skoglund will return to Omaha where he will continue to work as a starter.

"Eric Skoglund is rumored to be starting the year in the bullpen, but if that’s the case he’ll likely be demoted to AAA so Jake Junis can take over the final rotation spot within a week or two."

WTF?

Junis has looked better than any other starter in the rotation this Spring. I realize, due to off days, the Royals may be going with a 4 man rotation for the first couple weeks, but I would absolutely have Junis in that rotation.

Stick freaking Hammel in the bullpen for long relief for the first couple weeks. He looked like garbage in his spring training starts.

Good lord. That bullpen looks like ****ing aids.

And why is Brandon Maurer a lock for anything? Even an MLB roster spot? The guy has sucked his entire life, and hasn't gotten better. But but but he throws hard and has stuff!

Because he throws hard and has stuff.

Ned is old school and loyal to the old guys.

This is not surprising at all nor is Ned at any fault. If Junis is our #5 then keeping him down at the very, very, very beginning of the season is rather common.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Eavesdropping on James Shields in Sox dugout: Talking up to teammates Chiefs fans for breaking sonic records at Arrowhead, and Royals fans for being too loud for him to pitch at The K.</p>&mdash; David Brown (@AnswerDave) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnswerDave/status/979064028961169408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Junis is our #3, but Ned has him positioned at #5.

Off to a flying start.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sal Perez has a grade 2 tear of his MCL. Hurt himself lifting a suitcase. Out 4-6 weeks <br><br>Royals Opening Day lineup: Jon Jay LF, Merrifield 2B, Moustakas 3B, Duda 1B, Cuthbert DH, Soler RF, Gordon CF, Escobar SS, Butera C</p>&mdash; Maria Torres (@maria_torres3) <a href="https://twitter.com/maria_torres3/status/979116881083854848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Sal is proactively getting the rest Yost won't give him later in the season.

Jesus H. Christ

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ned Yost said surgery not likely on Sal Perez’s left knee.</p>&mdash; Jeffrey Flanagan (@FlannyMLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/FlannyMLB/status/979118733569470466?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Welp, there goes contention. At least I don't have to get cockteased for a few months.

Aren't the vets supposed to have rookies carry their bags?