The Royals announced that right-handed pitcher Jakob Junis has elected free agency rather than accept an outright assignment to Triple-A Omaha. The 29-year old was eligible for arbitration this year and MLB Trade Rumors projected he could earn $1.8 million. Junis pitched in just 39 1⁄3 innings this year, missing time with a right shoulder impingement. In 16 games, he posted a 5.26 ERA with 41 strikeouts and 12 walks.
Junis has pitched in parts of five seasons with the Royals, starting 89 games with a 4.82 ERA. His best season came in his second season in 2018, when he started 30 games with a 4.