CLEVELAND -- Kansas City Royals veteran Zack Greinke was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday with a strained right forearm, the most significant of a flurry of roster moves by the Royals before opening a three-game series with the Guardians.
The 38-year-old Greinke complained of tightness in his arm following Sunday's start in Minnesota. He allowed five runs -- all on three home runs -- in four innings in a 7-3 loss to the Twins.
Greinke is 0-4 with 5.05 ERA this season.
"Any guy who has been around as long as he has, he kind of knows what he feels and knows what most likely will work," manager Mike Matheny said. "We're just trying to get ahead of it right now, just looks like it's going to take a little time."
A six-time All-Star, Greinke is in his second stint with the Royals, who signed him to a $13 million, one-year contract in March. He's also pitched for Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks and Houston Astros in 19 seasons.
The Royals, who arrived in Cleveland with the AL's worst record at 16-30, were busy adjusting before the opener.
The club also placed relievers Gabe Speier and Matt Peacock on the injured list, and outfielder Brewer Hicklen was returned to Triple-A Omaha.
In corresponding moves, outfielder Kyle Isbel was reinstated from the injured list and left-hander Foster Griffin was recalled from Omaha. The Royals also selected right-handers Jose Cuas and Arodys Vizcaino from Omaha.
It's a lot for a struggling team.
"Not ideal," Matheny said. "But fortunately the organization has been very forward-thinking in allowing to have the taxi squad members with us and then the schedule working out with off days, so we'll be able to get guys here. Being prepared in case a worst-case scenario happens and we'll just kind of roll with the punches."