Jeff Francis was quality on Wednesday evening, allowing three runs on five hits in seven innings of work, but it wasn't enough for the Royals in a 3-2 loss to the Diamondbacks.

Francis struck out two and walked none in his second quality start in four June outings. Now 3-8 with a 4.76 ERA and 1.40 WHIP, he has a good matchup lined up for his next time out, where he will get the Padres in San Diego.

Jeff Francis was roughed up by the A's on Thursday, allowing six runs in 3 1/3 innings.

It's the most earned runs he's given up in a start this year. Francis had won three of his last four decisions, but now he's 3-7 with a 4.83 ERA for the year.

Jeff Francis pitched 6 1/3 innings of two-run ball Friday in a win over the Angels.

Francis isn't going to dominate an offense with his fastball like it is, but he's doing a nice job for the Royals at the moment. Over his last seven starts, he's 3-3 with a 3.54 ERA.

Jeff Francis yielded three runs over seven innings in a victory over the Angels Tuesday.

He gave up eight hits and two walks, striking out a pair. The owner of a 4.46 ERA and 1.41 WHIP, Francis will square off against the Twins next in what should be a decent matchup for AL-only owners.

Jeff Francis gave up five runs and two homers in six innings Thursday in a no-decision against the Orioles.

Francis has been surviving by limiting the walks and homers, but Nolan Reimold hit two bombs off him today. Since he has one of the weaker fastballs in the game, there just isn't much margin for error with Francis. He might last for the Royals, but he shouldn't have much fantasy value at any point.

Jeff Francis labored through four innings Friday, giving up six runs -- five earned -- on nine hits and a walk in the loss to the Rangers.

He struck out just two in what was easily his worst start of the season. Francis fell to 0-2 despite a solid 4.06 ERA and 1.29 WHIP, but we have a feeling he's done it mostly with smoke and mirrors. Outings like Fridays shouldn't be that uncommon. Francis will face the Indians in his next start.

Jeff Francis allowed three runs on eight hits over seven innings against the Twins Tuesday.

He fanned five and walked just one while taking the no-decision. Francis looks healthy and has finally escaped Coors Field, so he has the looks of a solid AL-only pitcher this season. He has an advantageous matchup this weekend against the Mariners.

Making his first start in a Royals uniform on Friday night, Jeff Francis was excellent, holding the Angels to just five hits and one run over seven innings in Kansas City's 2-1 win.

He struck out four and walked one in getting stuck with a no-decision, with his only hiccup coming when he allowed a first inning home run to Howie Kendrick. Finally out of the thin air of Colorado, don't be surprised if Francis looks reinvigorated this season after years of battling shoulder issues.

Jeff Francis looked sharp in his final outing of the spring on Sunday against the Giants, allowing just one run over five innings while fanning six.

The day lowered his spring ERA to 3.60. Heading from pitcher's graveyard Coors Field to pitching haven Kauffman Stadium, Francis will be an intriguing fantasy option in all formats as long as his troublesome shoulder can stay healthy.

Jeff Francis took a loss to the Angels after allowing six runs -- three earned -- in five innings on Tuesday.

Francis had to pitch around three errors, so he doesn't deserve much of the blame for the defeat. He struck out seven and walked just one in the contest.

Jeff Francis limited the Mariners to one hit over five innings on Thursday evening in Arizona.

Francis needed only 59 pitches in the rapidly effective Cactus League outing. The Royals signed the lefty to a bargain one-year, $2 million contract this winter and should reap the benefits of some quality results. When Francis is healthy he can be effective.

Jeff Francis tossed three solid innings against Arizona on Monday, scattering three hits while walking one and fanning one.

An improvement on his spring debut, where he allowed three runs in just two frames. Francis' velocity has appeared down this spring, but he was never a fireballer to begin with. If he can just get it over the plate with relatively frequency and keep his WHIP in the 1.30-1.35 range, he'll be a great signing for a Royals team incredibly short on arms.

Jeff Francis permitted three runs over two innings against the Dodgers Wednesday in his Royals debut.

The big blow came when the portsider served up a three-run jack to the light-hitting Juan Castro. It was one of five hits Francis allowed, and he failed to strike out a batter. The former Rockie is hoping to provide some stability to the Royals rotation this season.

Jeff Francis could earn as much as $4 million in his one-year contract with the Royals.

Francis will make a base salary of $2 million and could pull in an additional $1.2 million if he maxes out at 200 innings and $800,000 if he reaches 30 starts. The 30-year-old left-hander hasn't done either since 2007, but it wouldn't hurt the Royals much in the wallet if he did. In fact, if he's having a successful season, the team could always explore dealing him before the trade deadline.

Royals signed LHP Jeff Francis to a one-year, $2 million contact.

Ladies and gentleman, meet the new ace of the Royals! If it seems odd that he'll be the grizzled vet of this group, consider that he's joining Luke Hochevar, Kyle Davies, Vin Mazzaro and Sean O'Sullivan in the rotation. Still, this isn't a bad signing by Kansas City. Despite posting an awful 5.00 ERA last season for the Rockies, Francis is talented and posted a 36/6 K/BB ratio over 41 1/3 innings after the All-Star break while regaining lose velocity. He's a name to monitor in deeper AL-only leagues. The contract incentives could net Francis another $2 million based on starts and innings pitched.

Jeff Francis' one-year deal with the Royals is worth $2 million guaranteed and could be worth $2 million more based on starts and innings pitched incentives, according to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick.

Seems fair enough. Francis hasn't been the same since 2007 and finished with an terrible 5.00 ERA in a little over 100 innings last season. But the second half tells a slightly different tale, as his velocity and effectiveness increased and he posted a 36/6 K/BB ratio over 41 1/3 innings. On most teams, he'd be a solid fifth-starter option, but he just might be Kansas City's Opening Day starter, seeing as though he's joined a rotation consisting of Luke Hochevar, Kyle Davies, Vin Mazzaro and Sean O'Sullivan.

The Royals and Jeff Francis have reached agreement on one-year deal, according to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick.

Financial terms have not yet been disclosed and the deal is pending a physical. The left-hander owns a career 55-50 record with a 4.77 ERA over six major league seasons. Francis' best year came in 2007 when he went 17-9 and pushed Colorado to the World Series, going a combined 2-0 in the NLDS and NLCS. It's been downhill since, unfortunately, and Francis finished with an ugly 5.00 ERA over 104-plus innings last season. On the plus side, he had a 36/6 K/BB ratio over 41 1/3 innings after the All-Star break.

ESPN's Adam Rubin is hearing the Mets do not want to sign a free agent starting pitcher for more than Chris Capuano's contract.

Capuano recently inked a one-year deal with a base salary of $1.5 million and up to $3 million in incentives, less money on both fronts than Jeff Francis is looking for. Former Padre Chris Young was reportedly looking for "about $2 million guaranteed" at the winter meetings, though dwindling interest may have caused him to lower his demands. He'd be a nice fit in spacious Citi Field.

Jeff Francis is drawing interest from the Rockies, Royals, Nationals, Pirates, Rangers, Mets, and Yankees.

The market for Francis is not bad considering the left-hander is a career 55-50 with a 4.77 ERA over six major league seasons. Francis' best year came in 2007 when he went 17-9 and lead the Rockies to the World Series, going a combined 2-0 in the NLDS and NLCS. Unfortunately, he has fallen on tough times lately and finished with an ugly 5.00 ERA over 104-plus innings last season. He should only be trusted as a fifth starter or long reliever.

According to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com, Jeff Francis is drawing interest from seven teams.

The long list of potential suitors includes the Nationals, Royals, Pirates, Rangers, Rockies, Yankees and Mets. There are plenty of buy-low types still available, but Francis is perhaps the most intriguing. While his 5.00 ERA last season looks poor on the surface, he had a 36/6 K/BB ratio over 41 1/3 innings after the All-Star break.