MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Kansas City Royals scratched starting right-handed pitcher Brady Singer from the lineup because of illness less than three hours before their afternoon game at Minnesota on Thursday.

“He just didn’t have a good night’s sleep (Tuesday night), just didn’t feel well, was up during the night — it’s the typical illness that everybody deals with," Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “But when you have to come out here and pitch and it’s a 12 o’clock game, it’s a little different than just dealing with it like you and I can deal with it.”

Singer came to Target Field on Wednesday and didn't even have enough energy to play catch, Quatraro said.

The Royals recalled left-hander Daniel Lynch IV from Triple-A Omaha to start in place of Singer, who entered Thursday ranked 16th in the majors with a 2.63 ERA. In 11 starts, Singer is 4-2 with 64 strikeouts.

Lynch has appeared in two big-league games this season, including a May 5 start against Texas in which he allowed two hits and no runs and struck out six in five innings. In 52 starts from 2021-24, he's 11-23 with a 5.04 ERA.

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