Notes: Junis back, Keller close; McBroom HR

KANSAS CITY -- Right-hander Jakob Junis, who was expected to be the Royals’ No. 3 starter when Spring Training began, is finally ready to return to the rotation and will start Sunday against the White Sox.

Manager Mike Matheny also said right-hander Brad Keller, the club’s Opening Day starter in 2019, was very close to returning.

Both Junis and Keller are on the injured list with COVID-19-related issues.

“It kind of worked itself out with Jake,” Matheny said. “He was going to throw [Sunday], but we felt we have seen the things we liked and need to see, so he is ready.”

Keller threw 80 pitches in a live batting practice Saturday at the Royals’ alternate training site at T-Bones Stadium.

“You can picture him soon, too,” Matheny said.

In short order, the Royals will have the majority of their rotation back, with the exception of left-hander Mike Montgomery, who is on the IL with a strained lat muscle.

Bullpen blossoms
One of the big positives of the Royals’ season so far has been their bullpen. Through the first eight games, Kansas City’s ‘pen -- the second-worst in the American League last season -- had a 2.95 ERA, good for the fourth-best mark in the league.

“And it keeps getting better with new parts,” Matheny said, smiling.

Getting closer
With three one-run losses already this season, Matheny had a talk with his team.

“I told the guys that it’s tough losing these games,” he said, “but in the long run, it will make you better. You’ll learn from it.”

McBroom’s first MLB homer
Royals first baseman Ryan McBroom has displayed his power throughout his time with Kansas City. He hit three home runs in Spring Training and several during Summer Camp and in the exhibition games leading up to the regular season.

But McBroom hadn’t hit one in the big leagues through his first 28 games, until Friday night, when he blasted a 426-foot home run.

“It was something special, finally,” McBroom said. “The first one has always been the toughest one for me. The goal is just try to barrel the ball whenever you can.”

McBroom hit a booming double in his first at-bat Friday that bounced off the wall in right-center.

“I thought that one had a chance,” he said. “I hit that one pretty good. But I kind of knew it wasn’t quite high enough.”