Bruce Chen was tagged for five runs in 4 1/3 innings Thursday in a loss to the Indians. Chen has allowed 15 runs over 13 innings in his last three starts. It's not going to lead to him losing his rotation spot right now -- with Danny Duffy kicking butt in the bullpen rather than knocking down the door in Triple-A, there's no one to step in -- but he probably won't get as much rope as he would if he threw 94 mph rather than 84 mph. Toronto is up next on his schedule.

Bruce Chen notched his first win of the year despite allowing four runs over five innings Saturday against the Twins. It's strange to write it, but as well as the Twins have been swinging the bats, allowing four runs in five innings isn't bad. Chen missed his previous turn with a tight left glute muscle, so he was making his third start of the year today. He'll pitch in Cleveland next time out.

Bruce Chen has been scratched from his scheduled start Thursday due to a tight left glute muscle. Chen said he's been dealing with the tweaked glute for about a week, which might explain the Twins getting to him for six runs in 3 2/3 innings his last time out. James Shields' start was bumped up to Thursday to accommodate, and the hope is that Chen will be ready to start Saturday's game -- a rematch with those Twins -- instead.

Bruce Chen was lit up for nine runs -- eight earned -- over four frames against the Mariners Tuesday. He gave up a whopping 11 hits -- including a pair that went over the fence -- while walking two. Chen entered Tuesday with a solid 4.05 ERA during Cactus League play and had walked just one hitter, so we shouldn't read too much into one ghastly performance. He'll be the Royals' No. 4 starter this season.

Bruce Chen surrendered three runs in 5 1/3 innings of work in Thursday's start against the Angels. Chen gave up two home runs: a solo shot to Albert Pujols in the first inning, and a two-run blast to Mike Trout in the sixth. Overall, Chen allowed six hits, walked none, and struck out one. The homers were the first Chen has allowed in the Cactus League, as he has otherwise pitched well this spring.

Bruce Chen was his typical self in Sunday's Cactus League loss to the Rockies, surrendering two runs on four hits over his three innings of work. The veteran left-hander walked one and struck out two on the day. The Rockies jumped on him to push two runs across in the first inning with three consecutive hits, but he settled in nicely afterwards. Unless he has impeccable command in a given start, his underwhelming stuff make him likely to post horrifying ratios, and his inability to generate strike outs make him a terrible fantasy option in all formats.

Bruce Chen pitched three perfect innings against the Reds on Tuesday. Chen struck out three as well. The 36-year-old lefty will return to the Royals' rotation after posting a 3.27 ERA between 15 starts and 19 relief appearances last season. Chen has been solid in two out of the last three seasons, but his peripherals and age make him a scary gamble in mixed leagues.

Blair Kerkhoff of the Kansas City Star reports that Bruce Chen is all but assured of a spot in the Royals Opening Day rotation. That would leave Danny Duffy, Yordano Ventura, Kyle Zimmer and a host others who are more talented to compete for the final spot in the Royals rotation. While Chen's ERA and WHIP make his 2013 season look strong, his 4.93 xFIP, .255 BABIP against and miniscule strikeout rate paint a much different picture. He should be avoided in all fantasy formats.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Royals have re-signed left-hander Bruce Chen.

Bruce Chen spun 6 2/3 frames on one-run ball, allowing only four hits, in Sunday's victory against the White Sox. The left-hander struck out four and walked three in improving to 9-4. It was a nice season finale outing to cap a successful year for Chen, who posted a 3.27 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 121 innings.