KANSAS CITY -- The focus for Royals right-hander Jason Hammel in Wednesday's side session leading into his next start on Friday was to work on being more aggressive.
Hammel (0-3, 6.65 ERA) has left his past two starts before completing the fourth inning, mainly because of elevated pitch counts. Hammel threw 77 pitches in three-plus innings on Sunday against the Twins.
Afterward, Hammel called the performance "amateur stuff."
So Hammel has sat down with pitching coach Dave Eiland and manager Ned Yost to get answers.
"Basically the plan from here on out is to be more aggressive in the strike zone," Hammel said.