NEW YORK -- Right-handers Chris Young and Kris Medlen were placed on the disabled list on Thursday, and the Royals recalled left-hander Scott Alexander from Triple-A Omaha and selected the contract of right-hander Peter Moylan from Omaha.
Young had an MRI on Wednesday and was diagnosed with a right forearm strain. Medlen was examined by the Royals' training staff on Thursday and by a Yankees physician, and it was determined Medlen had inflammation of the right rotator cuff.
Medlen will fly back to Kansas City with the team after Thursday's 7-3 loss to the Yankees and have an MRI on Friday in Kansas City. He started Tuesday's game but lasted just two-plus innings.
"I felt a little discomfort back there in the second inning," Medlen said, pointing to his shoulder.
Medlen said he wasn't given any indication how serious the issue might be.
"Hopefully it will just be a few days for the inflammation to calm down," Medlen said. "But we won't know for sure until we get the MRI done."
Medlen had given up 13 runs (10 earned) in his last two starts, neither of which lasted three innings.
Manager Ned Yost said the Royals weren't taking any chances on the health of either starter.
"With Chris Young, it's probably not even a 15-day thing," Yost said. "It might calm down in a few days, but I didn't want to be tempted after five days to start him again. It's better this early to just get it over with, get it right. Chris is too important for us.
"Same thing with Kris. Hopefully it's just that inflammation, and we need to get it out of there."

Alexander, 26, was 1-0 with a 2.57 ERA in nine appearances with Omaha. Moylan signed with the Royals in late January and, after a slow start, had a good Spring Training. Moylan recorded five saves with a 0.71 ERA in 12 outings at Omaha. Alexander tossed a scoreless eighth inning on Thursday.
"Moylan gives us a different look," Yost said of the submariner. "He got better as the spring went along."
Danny Duffy will take Medlen's turn in the rotation on Sunday against the Braves.