Burch Smith used to be a starting pitcher. When injuries sidelined him, he transitioned into a bullpen role. Those injuries caused him to need Tommy John surgery. The Kansas City Royals Wednesday game against the Minnesota Twins was his first start since 2013.
He hit his pitch count early on Wednesday; only making it through 3.1 innings before he needed relief. In his first year with the Kansas City Royals, he has appeared in 24 games coming from the bullpen.
The 28 year old right-hander was a former Rule 5 draft pick, picked by the New York Mets before being traded to the Royals.