The Kansas City Star's Bob Dutton doesn't expect the Royals to sign free agent Shaun Marcum.

The Royals have previously been linked to Marcum, but Dutton believes he'll ultimately be out of their price range. They likely weren't a realistic option after acquiring James Shields and Wade Davis earlier this offseason. Marcum, who turned 31 earlier this month, has also drawn interest from the Twins and Padres. He's seeking a two-year deal in free agency.

Brewers GM Doug Melvin said Thursday that he is not engaged in any discussions with Shaun Marcum.

Marcum told Jim Bowden of SiriusXM on Wednesday that he was open to returning to Milwaukee, but it doesn't sound like it's going to happen. The 30-year-old right-hander has also drawn interest from the Twins and Royals. He had a 3.70 ERA in 124 innings this year.

Shaun Marcum told Jim Bowden of MLB Network Radio on Sirius XM on Wednesday that he hasn't ruled out a return to the Brewers.

The Royals were mentioned as a possible suitor last week, but they aren't a realistic option anymore after acquiring both James Shields and Wade Davis. The free agent market is beginning to thin out a little, so a return to the Brewers suddenly doesn't look so far-fetched. The 30-year-old right-hander missed two months this past season due to an elbow injury, but still managed to post a solid 3.70 ERA and 109/41 K/BB ratio over 124 innings.

CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reports that the Royals are one of many teams looking at free agent right-hander Shaun Marcum.

Marcum isn't the frontline starter the Royals are reportedly looking for, so he's probably more of a fallback option if things don't work out on the trade front. The Missouri native posted a 3.70 ERA and 109/41 K/BB ratio over 124 innings with the Brewers this season and missed two months due to an elbow issue.

The Twins have "checked in" on free agent righty Shaun Marcum, according to Jon Morosi of FOX Sports.

The Twins are targeting a handful of low-risk starters in the hope of improving their rotation without breaking the bank. Marcum, 30, posted a 3.70 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 109/41 K/BB ratio in 124 innings this past season for the Brewers while battling an elbow issue. He seems likely to accept a two-year deal.

Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun hears that the Blue Jays have "called to inquire about the market price" for Shaun Marcum.

Marcum, of course, spent the first five seasons of his career with the Blue Jays before being sent to the Brewers in the Brett Lawrie trade. Toronto is expected to acquire at least one starter this offseason, and it appears that the 30-year-old is on their wish list. Marcum posted a 3.70 ERA in just 21 starts this season while missing two months of action with an elbow issue.

Shaun Marcum yielded two runs in six innings Monday in a 5-3 win over the Padres.

Marcum scattered six hits while walking four and striking out a pair. He threw just 58 out of 104 pitches for strikes and was generally pretty shaky, but the Padres were unable to take advantage of opportunities. The 30-year-old right-hander will head into free agency with a 3.70 ERA and 109/41 K/BB ratio in 21 starts. Given his injury history and elbow problems this year, it will be interesting to see if he gets a multi-year deal.

Shaun Marcum held the Reds to one run on four hits in six innings of Wednesday's 8-1 win.

Marcum struck out seven and walked three as he improved to 6-4. He's now been quality in back-to-back outings after failing to complete six innings in each of his first five starts after coming off the disabled list on August 25. It's a good time to get on track for the impending free agent, who will get the Padres at home in his final start of the year on Tuesday.

Shawn Marcum delivered a strong performance in a no-decision against the Nationals on Friday, allowing two runs on four hits in his six innings of work.

Marcum punched out three without issuing a walk on the night. The only damage against him came on a two-run blast from Adam LaRoche in the first inning, but he bounced back nicely to shut the Nats down for the remainder of the evening. He'll take a 5-4 record, 3.86 ERA and 100/34 K/BB ratio into Cincinnati where he'll take on the Reds on Wednesday.

Shawn Marcum delivered another mediocre outing against the Mets on Saturday, allowing four runs on seven hits over his four innings of work.

Marcum walked two and struck out three in the game. It was the third consecutive start that he allowed four runs without making it through six innings. The results have been less than stellar since returning from the DL on August 25, posting a 5.70 ERA and 1.69 WHIP over 23 2/3 innings in his five starts. He'll look to get back on track when he battles the Nationals in Washington on Friday.

Shaun Marcum returned to action on Tuesday September 4.

Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that the Brewers are unlikely to trade Shaun Marcum Friday.

Haudricourt notes that Francisco Rodriguez is also unlikely to be dealt. It's not a surprise in either account, as K-Rod is having a poor year, and Marcum hasn't looked too good since coming back from the DL and left his last outing with a calf injury. Both players are free agents after the season.

Shaun Marcum made an early exit from his start Thursday against the Cubs because of a right calf cramp.

Marcum yielded three earned runs in four innings before his departure. The right-hander was placed on waivers by the Brewers earlier this week but won't attract much interest while he's injured and struggling.

Brewers activated RHP Shaun Marcum from the 60-day disabled list.

Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said Shaun Marcum (elbow) will be activated from the disabled list to start Saturday against the Pirates.

He'll take the rotation spot of Randy Wolf, who was given his release Wednesday. Marcum has been sidelined since mid-June with right elbow tightness, but he was impressive in his most recent rehab start Monday, tossing six innings of one-run ball for Low-A Wisconsin. The veteran right-hander is worth a flier in deeper mixed formats as he tries to prove his health headed into free agency this offseason.

Shaun Marcum (elbow) will rejoin the Brewers' rotation on Saturday or Sunday, assuming his rehab start Monday with Low-A Wisconsin goes well.

Marcum has been sidelined since mid-June with right elbow tightness. The Brewers haven't decided whether they're go with six starters when Marcum is added or if they stay at five. They could demote the struggling Randy Wolf or move one of their younger starters to the bullpen to keep their innings down. "We need to talk about that," manager Ron Roenicke said. "We've talked about both -- we've got plans for going with six, and we've got plans to make it five. We'll still need to talk about that."

The Brewers will make a decision on where Shaun Marcum's (elbow) next start will come after the righty throws a bullpen session Friday.

Marcum made a second rehab start Wednesday, and his next start could come with the Brewers, or he could make another appearance in the minors to stretch out more. "We're going to wait and see after his bullpen (Friday)," said manager Ron Roenicke. "It's not that key but we're tinkering with both things - to bring him back early, which probably limits him to 75 (pitches) maximum, or whether to really give him another (minor-league start). He threw 3 2/3 innings (Wednesday, allowing four hits, two walks and two earned runs). He felt good but said the last inning he didn't throw as well. He said his cutters were really sliding across too big and missing with some location." Marcum has been out since mid-June with right elbow tightness. When he does return, the Brewers could go with a six-man rotation for a while.

Shawn Marcum (elbow) looked strong in his first rehab start for Class-A Wisconsin, allowing one run on one hit over three innings of work.

Marcum walked none and struck out three, throwing 28 of his 36 pitches for strikes. He'll likely need multiple rehab starts before being activated by the Brewers, but so far so good through one outing.

Shaun Marcum (elbow) will make a rehab start Friday with Class A Wisconsin after Thursday's game was rained out.

It will be Marcum's first start since June 14. He's expected to throw around 45-50 pitches and will likely need multiple rehab starts before being activated from the disabled list.

Shaum Marcum (elbow) will make a minor league rehab start Thursday with Class A Wisconsin.

Marcum got the go-ahead after throwing 30 pitches in a simulated game Sunday. He'll likely need multiple rehab starts before returning from the disabled list. The veteran right-hander has been sidelined mid-June with right elbow tightness.