The Royals optioned Avila to Triple-A Omaha on Friday.
Avila entered spring training as a candidate to make the Royals' Opening Day bullpen after giving up just two earned runs in 14 innings toward the end of last season. He continued to find success on the mound in the Cactus League, allowing one run in four frames, but he will officially head back to Triple-A to open the new campaign. The Royals may wait until the 24-year-old righty is stretched out as a starter before giving him another trial in the majors.
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Royals' Luinder Avila: Key relief effort in WBC win
Rotowire
Avila allowed two hits and a hit-by-pitch across 2.1 scoreless innings Monday in Team Venezuela's 4-2 win over Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic. He struck out one.
Avila provided valuable length in what amounted to an all-hands-on-deck bullpen game, entering in the fourth inning and recording seven crucial outs without allowing a run to keep Italy at two runs and help fuel Venezuela's comeback victory to reach the World Baseball Classic championship game. Across two WBC appearances, the young right-hander has allowed an unearned run on three hits, three walks and two hit-by-pitches while tallying three strikeouts in 4.1 innings. Coming off a 1.29 ERA and 0.93 WHIP in 14 relief innings with the Royals last season, Avila is a candidate to make the Opening Day roster out of the bullpen, though he could also be stretched out as a starter at Triple-A Omaha.
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Royals' Luinder Avila: Rejoins big-league bullpen
Rotowire
The Royals recalled Avila from Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.
Avila was just sent down Wednesday but eligible to be recalled because he's replacing an injured player in Kyle Isbel (hamstring) on the roster. The rookie right-hander has allowed just one run with an 11:4 K:BB over 9.1 innings this season at the big-league level.
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Royals' Luinder Avila: Returns from IL
Rotowire
Triple-A Omaha reinstated Avila (shoulder) from the 7-day injured list Tuesday.
Avila appears ready to slot back into the Omaha rotation for the first time since late May after missing more than two months while recovering from a right shoulder impingement. The 23-year-old made three rehab appearances for High-A Quad Cities prior to being activated, covering six innings and striking out 10 while allowing two earned runs on four hits and three walks.
