Hammel (elbow) signed a two-year contract with the Royals pending a physical, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

The deal also includes a mutual option for a third year. The right-hander had a passable season with the Cubs in 2016, sporting a 3.83 ERA and 15 wins by the season's end, but given Chicago's multitude of other options, he was forced to latch on with another team more in need of starting pitching. Hammel seems primed to jump right into Kansas City's rotation once his elbow is back to full strength, which could bode well for him given the strong defense that will soon lie behind him.

Hammel's option for the 2017 season was declined by the Cubs on Sunday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN Chicago reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran posted a decent 2016 campaign, but was not part of the team's playoff roster as they shaved down the starting rotation to four. Hammel will likely be able to find work in 2017, but his departure opens up a spot in the Cubs' rotation, presumably for Mike Montgomery if they don't add to the rotation in free agency.

Hammel (elbow) was left off the World Series roster, Bleacher Nation's Brett Taylor reports.

EDGE Analysis

The fact that he was left off the roster could be health related, but he also doesn't make much sense as a bullpen option, given the Cubs' other options. There is a $10 million club option for Hammel next season, and it would cost them $2 million to buy him out.

Hammel (elbow) was left off the NLCS roster.

EDGE Analysis

It's not clear if he was left off due to elbow tightness or the simple fact that he is not one of the team's top four starters and they wanted to load the bullpen with lefties to take advantage of the Dodgers' main weakness.

Hammel (elbow) was left off the Cubs' NLDS roster.

EDGE Analysis

Elbow tightness prevented Hammel from starting during the final weekend of the regular season and he was left off the NLDS roster in favor of John Lackey, who will start Game 4 if necessary. Hammel has struggled in his last four trips to the mound, allowing 20 earned runs on 29 hits (including six homers) in 20.2 innings, but there's always a chance he could return if the Cubs advance to the Championship Series.

Manager Joe Maddon said Hammel (elbow) may land on the Cubs' postseason roster despite being scratched from Friday's start due to elbow tightness, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports. Maddon said Hammel's problem isn't severe.

EDGE Analysis

The depth in Chicago's rotation, however, was already likely to push Hammel to the bullpen anyway, so he probably won't be a fantasy option for those who play October daily games.

Hammel was scratched from his scheduled start Friday due to tightness in his elbow, CSN's Patrick Mooney reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hammel has pitched through the soreness and apparently could have started Friday had the game had playoff implications, but with home-field advantage already secured, the Cubs decided not to take any chances, and scratch him from the start. The team has not yet announced who will get the start Friday in Hammel's place.

Hammel (15-10) gave up six earned runs on six hits and a walk over 2.1 innings in Saturday's 10-4 loss to the Cardinals. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran fell victim to a Cardinals team that's been dangerous against right-handers all season, with the majority of his problems coming in the first inning. Yadier Molina got the scoring started with a two-RBI double and the red-hot Randal Grichuk followed by plating Molina and Matt Adams with a single. Hammel also saw Stephen Piscotty take him deep with a solo shot in the second, while Grichuk came back to tag Mike Montgomery for a two-bagger in the third that drove in Jhonny Peralta, the final run that went also went on Hammel's ledger. The 34-year-old has endured an up-and-down September, giving up 20 earned runs over 20.2 innings and dropping three of four decisions in the process. He'll look to build some positive momentum for the postseason when he takes on the Reds next Friday.

Hammel (15-9) allowed two runs on four hits and a walk with six strikeouts over seven innings in a win Monday over the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

Hammel recovered from two straight rough starts in which he allowed a combined 12 runs on 19 hits. This marks just his second quality start in six outings dating back to August 21. Monday's start is an encouraging sign he can rediscover his form from earlier this season, but the Reds lineup is one of baseball's worst, so it should be taken with a grain of salt.

Hammel (14-9) allowed four runs on six hits and two walks with nine strikeouts over 5.2 innings in a loss Tuesday against the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

Hammel has just one quality start in his last five outings. The Cardinals touched him up for two more home runs, the third time in those five starts he has allowed multiple home runs. Hammel has now allowed 23 home runs in 28 starts and has a HR/9 above 1.2 for the fourth consecutive season. He induced 14 swinging strikes and was nasty at times, but his susceptibility to the long ball puts a ceiling on his value.