KANSAS CITY -- So far, this is not the Jason Hammel the Royals were hoping to get when they signed the right-hander to a two-year, $16 million deal in the offseason.
Hammel is 0-3 with a 6.65 ERA through five starts. In his last two outings, Hammel did not make it through the fourth inning either time. But manager Ned Yost said the Royals will be patient with Hammel as he fights his way through a rough stretch.
"It's inconsistency in his command," Yost said. "His stuff is good. He gets a little too picky on the corners sometimes.