Bailey Falter: Everything you need to know

The Royals designated Falter for assignment Wednesday. Kansas City will drop Falter from its 40-man roster after the veteran lefty was roughed up for nine earned runs in 4.1 innings over his previous two starts, during which he served as an opener in bullpen games. The 29-year-old didn't fare much better in his three relief appearances with Kansas City before that, yielding six earned runs over 5.1 innings. The Royals will replace Falter with a fresh relief arm in right-hander Mason Black, who was recalled from Triple-A Omaha ahead of Wednesday's series finale versus the Yankees.

Falter (0-2) took the loss against the Yankees on Tuesday, allowing seven runs on nine hits while striking out three batters over 2.1 innings. Falter was called upon to work as Kansas City's opener for a second straight outing. He gave the Royals 2.1 frames but was hit hard, serving up three homers and five runs before he departed. Two more runs were charged to Falter's ledger following his exit, pushing his ERA to an ugly 13.97 through 9.2 frames on the campaign. It remains to be seen how Falter will be utilized moving forward, but he's struggled to such an extent that Kansas City may need to reconsider his role.

Falter will start for the Royals in Tuesday's game against the Yankees, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports. Falter served as the Royals' opener against the Red Sox on May 19, when he tossed two innings and allowed two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out two batters. He was followed by Luinder Avila in that game, and the Royals could deploy that same combination for Tuesday's contest.