The Royals have announced Kris Medlen will start Monday at home against Baltimore in place of Jeremy Guthrie. The move comes after Guthrie allowed three runs, lasting just 4 1/3 innings in his start on Wednesday. That start pushed his season ERA to 5.65, the second-highest in all of baseball among qualified starters.

Medlen has a 2.51 ERA in 14 1/3 innings of relief this year, but has not made a start since 2013 with the Braves. He went 15-12 that year with a 3.11 ERA in 197 innings of work. He endured his second Tommy John surgery last year, making the Royals cautious with his workload this season.

The Royals have not announced a roster move, so presumably Guthrie will pitch in the bullpen. As for Medlen getting the chance to start, we salute the Royals.