Kennedy's season likely over with calf strain

KANSAS CITY -- Royals right-hander Ian Kennedy’s season is likely over after an MRI revealed a Grade 2 strain of his left calf, manager Mike Matheny said on Wednesday.

Kennedy, who went on the injured list on Monday, would require at least three weeks of recovery time, Matheny said. After that, building up to return to the mound would take too much time to make a comeback, unless the Royals have a big September and make the playoffs.

Therefore, Kennedy, 35, also may have pitched his last game as a Royal. He signed a five-year, $70 million deal prior to the 2016 season and is a pending free agent.

Kennedy entered Saturday’s 9-6 win over the White Sox with a 9-3 lead in the ninth inning. He left before finishing the inning when he attempted to field a grounder toward the first-base line and immediately came up hobbling with the calf injury. Kennedy threw the ball away for an error and was replaced by Jesse Hahn, who got his first big league save.

Kennedy gave up three runs, two earned, in one-third of an inning.

Kennedy has had a rough 2020. He is 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA in 15 appearances. He has allowed seven home runs in 14 innings, including a walk-off home run in Chicago against the White Sox on Friday.

Kennedy was a starter for three seasons with the Royals prior to 2019. His best year in Kansas City was his first in 2016, when he went 11-11 with a 3.68 ERA.

After being converted to the bullpen in 2019, Kennedy was solid in his new role as a closer. He appeared in 63 games, posted a 3.41 ERA and converted 30 of 34 save opportunities.

But with the arrival of Trevor Rosenthal, who was traded to San Diego on Saturday, Kennedy became more of a setup man.

Harvey’s future

Matheny said on Wednesday that no decision has been made yet on whether right-hander Matt Harvey will make another start for the Royals or possibly be converted to the bullpen.

General manager Dayton Moore told MLB.com last month that the Royals viewed Harvey as someone who could fill many roles, from starter to long reliever to even a late-inning high-leverage reliever.

“Those are still discussions we will have,” Matheny said. “After [Tuesday night], everything is still pretty fresh, so you don’t make decisions that quickly.”

Harvey, 31, gave up six hits and five runs in 1 1/3 innings Tuesday night against Cleveland. He has a 15.43 ERA in three starts.

Hahn a closer?

Hahn, who has not given up a run in six outings, may be edging toward the closer role. Right now, Greg Holland, who saved Monday’s win over Cleveland, is the primary closer after Rosenthal was traded.

But Hahn, who secured his first big league save on Saturday, has proven he can be trusted in high-leverage situations, and Matheny said Wednesday he would not hesitate to use the right-hander late in games.