Kansas City Royals right-hander Alec Marsh (shoulder) had a setback in his recovery from right-shoulder soreness on April 3 but started a throwing progression last Friday and is back in Arizona for his rehab program. The 26-year-old was placed on the 15-day injured list back on March 24 and still probably has another month to go to build up his arm before being activated for his 2025 season debut. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues shouldn't expect Marsh to be a starting-rotation option for the Royals until June. The former second-round pick in 2019 out of Arizona State University went 9-9 with a 4.53 ERA (4.34 FIP) and 1.26 WHIP with 123 strikeouts and 39 walks in 129 innings over 26 outings (25 starts) in 2024 in his second year in the league. Marsh struggled down the stretch last year and was sent to the minors before also spending time in the bullpen.

Kansas City Royals right-handed pitcher Alec Marsh (shoulder) has faced a setback in his recovery. According to Anne Rogers of MLB.com, Marsh has begun to feel soreness in his shoulder and will be shut down for the next seven to 10 days. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, but this setback will likely push Marsh's timeline further back. Marsh has been on the 15-day injured list due to tightness in his shoulder. Last season, Marsh logged 129 innings for the Royals and held a 4.53 ERA with a 1.26 WHIP. He struck out 123 batters and held a strong 7.1 percent walk rate. He generated a modest 4.97 xERA with a .264 xBA, which were both well below the average marks. While Marsh remains out, fantasy managers should expect Michael Lorenzen to remain in the starting rotation.

Kansas City Royals pitchers Alec Marsh (shoulder), Kyle Wright (shoulder/hamstring), and James McArthur (elbow) were all officially placed on the 15-day injured list on Monday. None of these come as a surprise, with all three of them battling injuries this spring. Marsh is dealing with the most minor injury of the three, with a delay in his build-up due to tightness in his shoulder. Wright has progressed to throwing bullpens but is recovering from both an offseason shoulder surgery and a hamstring strain. McArthur is likely to miss the most time, as he is still recovering from an offseason elbow surgery and hasn't begun throwing yet.

Kansas City Royals right-hander Alec Marsh (shoulder) said he felt great in two innings of live batting practice in camp on Thursday and will continue to build his arm up. It's unclear when Marsh might be cleared to pitch in a Cactus League game, but he is making progress after arriving to spring training this year with right-shoulder tightness. Even if the 26-year-old is cleared to pitch in spring games before spring training is over, he's expected to open the 2025 regular season on the injured list. In his second year in the big leagues in 2024, Marsh went 9-9 with a 4.53 ERA (4.34 FIP) and 1.26 WHIP with 123 strikeouts and 39 walks in 129 innings over 26 outings (25 starts) for the Royals. He showed better control last year but faded down the stretch in his first full big league season and was sent to the minors while also spending time in relief. Marsh will make more starts for KC this year but is out of the top-100 fantasy starting pitchers.

Kansas City Royals right-handed pitcher Alec Marsh (shoulder) is set to face live hitters for the first time on Sunday. The 26-year-old has been able to complete several bullpen sessions and will now take the next step in his recovery plan. Marsh was battling tightness in his shoulder during the offseason, which delayed him at the start of camp. However, it appears the 26-year-old is nearing his return to game action. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status in case he faces a setback. Last season, Marsh logged a career-high 129 innings with a 4.53 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. He tallied 123 punchouts with a strong 7.1 percent walk rate. However, he generated a high 4.97 xERA with a 40.9 percent hard-hit rate, which were both well below the average marks. When healthy, he will likely compete alongside Kris Bubic for the final spot in the starting rotation.

Kansas City Royals right-handed pitcher Alec Marsh (shoulder) recently completed a successful bullpen session. Marsh has been dealing with tightness in his shoulder during the early part of camp. The 26-year-old has been able to throw several bullpens but has yet to make his spring training debut. Last season, Marsh was deployed primarily out of the rotation and held a 4.53 ERA with a 1.26 WHIP across 129 innings of work. He tallied 123 punchouts with a modest 7.1 percent walk rate. However, he generated a high 4,97 xERA with a .264 xBA, which placed him in the 10th and 15th percentiles among qualified pitchers. Marsh also generated groundballs at a low 38.8 percent rate. When Marsh is eventually cleared to return to games, he should compete alongside Kris Bubic for the final spot in the rotation. However, given his missed time, Bubic has been viewed as a leading candidate.

Kansas City Royals right-hander Alec Marsh (shoulder) is responding well after throwing his first bullpen session in camp on Monday and is scheduled to throw another one on Thursday. Marsh, who dealt with right-shoulder soreness in the offseason, threw 25 pitches on Monday and described it as a "normal" bullpen in terms of intensity. He'll throw a couple more bullpens before facing hitters in live batting practice. At this point, it's unclear if the 26-year-old will be completely built up and ready to go for Opening Day in late March. From a pure innings standpoint, Marsh is probably out of the competition for a starting rotation spot. "I'm just going to take it one week at a time," Marsh said. In 25 starts for the Royals in 2024, Marsh went 9-9 with a 4.53 ERA, 123 strikeouts and 39 walks in 129 innings pitched. In 12-team fantasy leagues, Marsh can be avoided.

Kansas City Royals right-handed pitcher Alec Marsh (shoulder) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session on Monday. After the session, Marsh expressed that this was his "first bullpen of the year." The 26-year-old is currently working his way back from shoulder tightness. Marsh began feeling this tightness during an offseason throwing program. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as he is still slightly behind schedule. Marsh is expected to compete for a spot in the Kansas City rotation when he is cleared for action. Last season, the 26-year-old posted a 4.53 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP across 129 frames. He tallied 123 punchouts but generated a hefty 4.97 xERA. He also generated a weak 38.8 percent ground-ball rate. Marsh will compete alongside Kris Bubic for the final spot in the rotation.

Kansas City Royals right-hander Alec Marsh (shoulder) is scheduled to throw his first bullpen session of the spring on Friday after he experienced right-shoulder soreness in the early portion of his offseason throwing program. As a result, his throwing progression has been slowed early in camp. As long as the 26-year-old doesn't suffer any further setbacks with his shoulder, he'll have time to get himself ready for Opening Day at the end of March. Marsh can't afford any further hiccups, either, as he's in camp competing for a starting rotation spot. Marsh got off to a pretty solid start in 2024 before hitting a wall and being sent to the minors for a bit. He ended up with a 9-9 record, 4.53 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 123:39 K:BB in 129 innings over 26 outings (25 starts) for KC. Marsh showed better control but also saw his strikeout rate drop. As a fly-ball pitcher that gives up plenty of hard contact, Marsh is outside RotoBaller's top-100 starting pitchers.

MLB.com's Anne Rogers reports the Kansas City Royals right-hander Alec Marsh (shoulder) experienced right-shoulder tightness this offseason. Marsh is back on track and is throwing every day, but he might be delayed in spring training slightly in regards to facing hitters, according to manager Matt Quatraro. The Royals are taking it day-to-day with the 26-year-old in camp. It's not too much of a concern for Marsh right now, but if his shoulder issues return, it could cost him a chance at the No. 5 starting rotation spot in spring training as he competes primarily with Kris Bubic. Marsh opened up 2024 solid with a 3.63 ERA and 61 strikeouts in 67 innings over his first 12 starts, but he posted a 5.52 ERA the rest of the season and was eventually demoted to a bullpen role. His strikeout rate dropped to a below-average 22.5% and he had trouble limited hard contact and homers. Marsh can be ignored in mixed fantasy leagues, even if he wins a rotation spot.

Kansas City Royals right-hander Michael Lorenzen (hamstring) will make the start for the team on Wednesday at Nationals Park against the Washington Nationals, with right-hander Alec Marsh moving to the bullpen to close out the 2024 regular season, according to manager Matt Quatraro. Lorenzen will come off the 15-day injured list to make his first start since late August due to a hamstring strain, so don't be surprised if he doesn't go very deep into his start after the long layoff. It is an enticing matchup for fantasy managers still playing for something in the final week of the season. The 32-year-old veteran will be hoping to pick up where he left off after being acquired by the Royals, as he's pitched to a 1.85 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 17 strikeouts and 10 walks in 24 1/3 innings over his first five starts in KC. Lorenzen began the year in Texas.

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Alec Marsh struck out 11 batters in 5.1 innings of dominating pitching in the Royals' 8-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night. The 11 strikeouts matches a career high for Marsh who struck out 11 against the Tampa Bay Rays in 2023. The righty improved his ERA to 4.52 and recorded the win, making him 8-8 on the season. Marsh has been a solid option for the Royals since getting recalled from the minors but Friday night's performance was easily his best performance of the season. With the Royals fighting to keep their 2.0 game lead in the wild card race, more high quality performances from Marsh will be needed. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues likely should consider adding Marsh to their rosters to finish out the season. Marsh currently doesn't have another scheduled start listed but Kansas City does have an open spot in their rotation set for next Wednesday when the Royals host Tarik Skubal and the Detroit Tigers.

The Kansas City Royals optioned right-hander Alec Marsh to Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday to make room on the roster for right-handed reliever Lucas Erceg, who was acquired in a trade from the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday. Marsh gets booted from the starting rotation as the No. 5 starter for KC, with recently acquired right-hander Michael Lorenzen taking his spot and making his team debut this Saturday against the Detroit Tigers. The 26-year-old Marsh will have his workload scaled back a bit as he returns to the minors to give him a little rest. The former second-round pick in 2019 out of Arizona State has gone 7-7 in the big leagues in 2024 with a 4.71 ERA (4.21 FIP) and 1.25 WHIP with a 93:32 K:BB in 101 2/3 innings in his second year in the majors. Marsh has had a tough July in five outings (four starts), allowing 15 earned runs on 22 hits (four homer) in 19 2/3 frames.

Kansas City Royals right-hander Alec Marsh (elbow) looked good in his minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Omaha on Sunday, tossing four shutout innings while allowing one hit, walking one and striking out six. The Royals were hoping that Marsh threw 60 to 65 pitches in the outing, but he pitched so well and efficiently that he only threw 53 pitches (38 for strikes). The 25-year-old could be ready to return from the 15-day injured list when he's eligible on Friday, but if the Royals play it safe and have him make another rehab start, Daniel Lynch would be in line to take another turn through KC's rotation. Marsh was looking good before landing on the IL, going 3-0 with a 2.70 ERA and 1.01 WHIP with 17 strikeouts and seven walks in 26 2/3 innings pitched, so he'll be guaranteed a spot back in the team's rotation when he's ready.

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Alec Marsh (elbow) is set for a rehab start with Triple-A Omaha on Sunday. Marsh is expect to throw between 60-65 pitches in the start. As of now it's unclear if Marsh will need multiple rehab starts before rejoining the Royals, so there is a chance that if all goes well then he will rejoin Kansas City when he can be activated off the IL on May 10th. Marsh had been having a solid season before getting drilled with a liner when facing the Toronto Blue Jays. The right-hander has posted up a 2.70 ERA and recorded three wins in five starts. Marsh may be a sneaky add that fantasy managers can stash on their bench until he returns.

The Kansas City Royals placed right-hander Alec Marsh (elbow) on the 15-day injured list on Thursday with a right-elbow contusion and recalled right-hander Will Klein from Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move. X-rays came back negative on Marsh's elbow after he was hit by a comebacker on Wednesday and forced to leave his start early against the Toronto Blue Jays, but he's still going to have to miss at least two weeks. It's unclear who will replace the 25-year-old in Kansas City's rotation moving forward. Klein will give the Royals some more depth in the bullpen. Marsh, a former second-round pick in 2019 out of Arizona State, should return to the Royals' rotation when his 15 days are up after going 3-0 with a 2.70 ERA and 1.01 WHIP in his first five starts in 2024.

Updating a previous report, Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro said that X-rays came back negative on right-hander Alec Marsh (elbow, forearm) after he was forced to leave his start early on Wednesday against the Toronto Blue Jays when he was hit by a comebacker on his right elbow/forearm in the fifth inning. Marsh was in a lot of pain initially, but the feeling came back in his arm quickly after he was pulled. "We feel like we got pretty lucky. Everything is good. X-rays are negative," Quatraro said. The 25-year-old could still be forced to miss his next scheduled start on Monday against these same Blue Jays, but it's obviously good news he avoided any kind of fracture in his arm. Before leaving on Wednesday, Marsh tossed 4 1/3 shutout innings with two hits allowed, two walks and only one strikeout to drop his season ERA to a strong 2.70.

Kansas City Royals right-hander Alec Marsh (elbow, forearm) left his start on Wednesday against the Toronto Blue Jays after being hit on the right elbow/forearm area on a comebacker up the middle. It did not look good, and Marsh appeared to be in a significant amount of pain. Before leaving the game, Marsh threw 4 1/3 shutout innings with two hits allowed, two walks and only one strikeout in what would be a no-decision in the 3-2 loss. It's being called a right-forearm contusion for Marsh for now, but he's surely to undergo X-rays and is in danger of missing his next start or landing on the injured list. The 25-year-old's ERA is down to 2.70 on the season after shutting Toronto out for 4 1/3 innings on Wednesday. Check back for an update on his condition later on Wednesday or on Thursday morning.

Kansas City Royals right-hander Alec Marsh has been named the team's fifth starter to open the 2024 season, according to manager Matt Quatraro. Right-hander Jordan Lyles will begin the season in the bullpen. We reported on Wednesday that Marsh was the favorite for the No. 5 spot, and now it's official. The 25-year-old earned the final rotation spot for KC this spring by recording a 1.93 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, four walks and 17 strikeouts in 14 Cactus League innings. Marsh struck out 85 hitters in 74 1/3 innings in his rookie season last year for the Royals, but he also walked 39 in 17 appearances (eight starts) and allowed 50 runs (47 earned). Right now, he's only an option for strikeouts in AL-only leagues. Marsh will need to improve his control to become a legitimate streaming option in mixed formats.

Kansas City Royals right-hander Alec Marsh has made a strong impression in spring training, giving up three runs in 14 Cactus League innings, and might be considered the favorite for the fifth and final starting rotation spot to enter the season. Jordan Lyles is the incumbent behind Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo, Brady Singer and Michael Wacha, but he's been slowed in camp with lower-back tightness and it's unclear if he'll be built up to 90-plus pitches by Opening Day next week. Daniel Lynch IV is healthy and has also looked good this spring, though, and Anthony Veneziano is another candidate in the conversation as he continues to build up as a starter. The 25-year-old Marsh, a former second-rounder in 2019 out of Arizona State, went 3-9 in his rookie year in 2023 with a 5.69 ERA and 1.56 WHIP with 39 walks and 85 K's in 74 1/3 innings over 17 games (eight starts).