KANSAS CITY -- The Royals needed some long-relief help after Sunday's loss to the Indians used up long man Onelki Garcia (5 2/3 innings). So on Monday, the club recalled left-hander Brian Flynn from Triple-A Omaha prior to a 12-0 to the Rays.
And Flynn got into Monday night's game almost immediately. He came in for starter Ian Kennedy with two out in the third inning. Flynn went 2 1/3 innings total and gave up one run, but he was removed in the sixth inning because of a Grade 1 groin strain -- it was an issue that shut Flynn down at Omaha about 10 days ago.

Left-hander Eric Skoglund, who gave up seven earned runs in 1 1/3 innings in Sunday's start, was optioned back to Omaha.
Before Monday night's game, manager Ned Yost said Flynn could be a candidate to start later this week if Yost decides to continue using a five-man rotation. But Yost and his staff are still discussing the possibility of using a four-man rotation because of Thursday's off-day. The rotation already is without left-hander Danny Duffy, who went on the disabled list on Saturday -- retroactive to last Wednesday -- with a left elbow strain.
"This time of year, it's not a bad idea to give the starters an extra day off with that off-day," Yost said. "We're still talking about it."
Flynn, who was 5-3 with a 5.40 ERA for Omaha in 22 appearances, has been stretched out as a starter his last four starts.
Flynn has had an unusual season entering Monday's action. He missed almost eight weeks after falling through a barn roof at his home right before Spring Training commenced. He suffered a broken rib and fractured vertebrae.