Royals to promote Jonathan Bowlan for start Monday

Bowlan replaces Alec Marsh in the rotation

The Royals will promote pitcher Jonathan Bowlan to the big leagues to make his MLB debut in Toronto on Monday, according to several reports. No corresponding roster move has yet to be announced. In the rotation, he replaces Alec Marsh, who was placed on the Injured List last week.

Bowlan was originally a second-round pick in 2018 out of the University of Memphis. He had Tommy John surgery in 2021, returning late in 2022. He struggled to get back on track last year, but missed bats and earned a late-season call up to the big leagues. He appeared in two games for the Royals last year, giving up one run in three innings. Bowlan is off to a good start in Omaha this year with a 2.57 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 21 innings in his first four starts.

The 27-year-old throws in the mid-90s, topping out at 97 mph with a sinker and a plus slider with a change up at times. Bowlan is one seven pitchers in the Royals’ 2018 draft class to make a start, including Brady Singer, Jackson Kowar, Daniel Lynch IV, Kris Bubic, Austin Cox, and Jonathan Heasley.

Bowlan will face off against another 27-year-old rookie, with the Blue Jays starting Cuban free agent Yariel Rodríguez.