Pitcher Ian Kennedy will embrace a “new part” of his career as the Royals will move the longtime starter into the bullpen for the 2019 season. After an injury-plagued 2018 season, the organization and Kennedy hope the move will make Kennedy an even more valuable weapon for their pitching staff.
Kennedy pitched a one-inning relief appearance on Sunday, which provided the final hurdle before Royals manager Ned Yost made the move official on Tuesday.
Kennedy’s last appearance out of the bullpen came as a New York Yankees pitcher in September 2009. It was one of two relief appearances in Kennedy’s major-league career.