KANSAS CITY -- The Royals on Monday optioned right-hander Kyle Zimmer to Triple-A Omaha and recalled right-hander Glenn Sparkman. The move could provide a hint as to how manager Ned Yost will approach Wednesday night’s starter, which still is listed as “TBA.”

Yost said that in a perfect scenario, right-hander Scott Barlow, now in the Royals’ bullpen, would serve as an opener for Wednesday’s game, with Sparkman piggybacking and providing some length. Yost said Sparkman could go about 80 pitches.

Other options to start Wednesday still include Omaha right-handers Heath Fillmyer and Arnaldo Hernandez, both of whom are on the 40-man roster.

Asked if there were any other options, Yost quipped, “Yeah, the tooth fairy.”

The Barlow-Sparkman piggyback is in jeopardy if Yost has to use either in games prior to Wednesday.

“I will use them if I have to in order to win now,” Yost said. “I’ll worry about Wednesday once we get past Tuesday’s game.”

Zimmer’s amazing comeback story from overcoming multiple surgeries and setbacks to finally making the 25-man roster, and then his Major League debut, is not over by any stretch, Yost said.

Zimmer struggled in two outings in the weekend series in Detroit. In one outing, he walked each of the three hitters he faced before being pulled. He has a 9.00 ERA in three outings.

“He’ll be back,” Yost said. “Obviously there are some command issues he’ll get ironed out. But guys with options like that, there’s sort of a merry-go-round with other guys with options from here to Omaha and then back. One guy figures it out and the other guy goes down.”

Duffy update

Left-hander Danny Duffy, who was slowed and shut down early in spring camp by shoulder tightness, continues to progress in his throwing program in extended spring training in Arizona.

Yost said Duffy will throw about three innings or 50 pitches in a Minor League game in Arizona on Tuesday. Yost wasn’t sure how long it would be before Duffy is sent out on a Minor League rehab assignment.

“He’s getting better and feeling good,” Yost said.