Karns, the right-hander acquired in from the Mariners in a trade for Jarrod Dyson, seemed a lock for the No. 5 spot, at worst.
That changed in the final weeks leading into Spring Training. The Royals signed right-hander Jason Hammel, who will be either the No. 3 or No. 4 starter. And then they signed left-hander Travis Wood, who signed primarily to get a chance to be a starter again.
Suddenly, Karns was back to competing for a rotation spot along with Young and Wood.
"It doesn't scare me or change my approach," Karns said of the competition.