The Royals on Wednesday optioned right-hander Jakob Junis to their alternate training site, and also placed right-hander Matt Harvey on the injured list.

The club then recalled infielder Erick Mejia and right-hander Scott Blewett to replace them on the 28-man roster. Blewett will go to the bullpen. Mejia was scheduled to start at third base Wednesday night.

Both Junis and Harvey pitched in Tuesday’s 6-0 loss to the Tigers. Junis started and gave up five runs over 2 1/3 innings. Harvey came on in relief but left after experiencing right shoulder posterior tightness and discomfort. The Royals on Wednesday identified his injury as a lat strain.

Junis’ season has been disjointed, with the righty having first spent time on the injured list after testing positive for COVID-19 prior to Summer Camp. Later, Junis also spent time on the IL because of back spasms.

Royals manager Mike Matheny said Junis will be able to get more work in at the team’s alternate site than he would over the team’s final 11 games -- the Royals already have two scheduled off-days this week and have been operating with a six-man rotation. The Royals now likely will go to a five-man rotation for the rest of the season.

Junis was 0-2 in six starts with a 6.94 ERA.

The Royals had hoped Harvey, who signed as a non-roster free agent in late July, could resurrect his career. But in seven outings, four of them starts, Harvey posted an 11.57 ERA. He will be a free agent after this season.

No decision on Duffy
Matheny said no decision has been reached regarding when left-hander Danny Duffy might return to the rotation. Duffy was scheduled to start on Tuesday in Detroit, but he missed the team charter flight out of Kansas City on Monday. Duffy was then scratched from that start as a disciplinary measure.

It’s likely Duffy wouldn’t start again until at least Monday. The Royals will have Kris Bubic, Carlos Hernandez and Brad Keller starting this weekend in Milwaukee.

Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations
Throughout September, the Royals will celebrate Latino contributions in their community with special content and wallpaper available on social media channels, wearing their “Los Reales” uniform and pregame ceremonies that will stream on royals.com and Royals Facebook, including an interview with Pedro Zamora, executive director of Kansas City Hispanic Economic Development.

Spring Training
MLB has announced the 2021 Spring Training schedule. The Royals will open against Texas at Surprise Stadium on Feb. 27. They will end Spring Training against Seattle at Surprise Stadium on March 28. The regular season opens Apr. 1.