Lamb (1-3) threw five shutout innings in his first major league win Thursday, allowing three hits and six walks while striking out six in a 11-0 drubbing of the Cardinals.

Lamb's peculiar line was supported by a plethora of run support from the Reds' offense, staking the rookie to a 6-0 lead by the fifth inning. Control has been an issue in Lamb's young big league career, claiming a 1.58 WHIP through six starts. The Reds will likely keep Lamb in the rotation through the season, but fantasy owners should look for better command before factoring him into their plans.

Lamb struggled Saturday but escaped with a no-decision, getting tagged for six runs on nine hits and two walks over 5.2 innings while striking out four.

His introduction to the big leagues has been a disaster so far, and Lamb now has a 6.11 ERA and 1.54 WHIP through five starts. The Reds will likely leave him in the rotation for now, and his 33:7 K:BB ratio in 28 innings does provide some hope for the future, but for now Lamb is purely a speculative keeper play with little short-term value.

Lamb (0-3) was charged with the loss Sunday against the Brewers, despite giving up only two runs over six innings and striking out eight batters.

Lamb has gone without a win and has a 5.24 ERA and 1.43 WHIP through four starts, but he hasn't pitched nearly as poorly as those numbers would indicate. His excellent 29:5 K:BB ratio over 22.1 innings is stellar, with an abnormally high BABIP (.404) and home-run rate (1.61 HR/9) supporting the notion that he's run into some unfortunate luck. Lamb should still make for a good streaming option or secondary pitching choice in daily formats when he makes his next scheduled start against these same Brewers over the upcoming weekend.

Lamb gave up three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out six in five innings Tuesday against the Dodgers.

He needed 108 pitches to complete five frames, which, while inefficient, is not surprising for a pitcher making just his third start in the major leagues. Going deep into games has been an issue for Lamb, but at the same time he is notching plenty of strikeouts (21 in 16.1 innings), so owners may have to take the good with the bad.

Lamb struck out eight in 5.1 innings Thursday against Arizona, but allowed three runs on nine hits.

Things were going great over the first four innings, as Lamb had a shutout going, but the D-Backs got to him in the fifth and sixth. Lamb faces the Dodgers next; they got him for five runs in six innings in his MLB debut last Friday.

Lamb (0-1) allowed five runs over six innings in his major league debut Friday. He allowed eight hits and two walks while striking out seven in the 5-3 loss to the Dodgers.

Lamb showed some signs of promise here, but a three-run homer to Adrian Gonzalez really came back to bite him. Inducing 14 swinging strikes in your major league debut is a promising sign, so keep an eye on him in a better matchup. He had some very good numbers at Triple-A this season, posting a 2.11 FIP with a 11.12 K/9 rate. Lamb faces the team who drafted him in his next start against Kansas City on Thursday.

Lamb was recalled from Triple-A Louisville on Thursday.

This move was made in advance of Lamb's major league debut Friday against Alex Wood and the Dodgers. Part of the return package from the Royals for Johnny Cueto, Lamb carried his success from Triple-A Omaha over to Louisville, allowing five runs with a 21:7 K:BB in 17 innings. It appears the lefty will remain the rotation beyond Friday, with Michael Lorenzen optioned down to make room on the roster.

Lamb will be recalled from Triple-A Louisville to start Friday's game against the Dodgers, C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Lamb has posted an impressive 2.67 ERA and 1.16 WHIP with 96 strikeouts over 94 innings with Triple-A Louisville this season, finally resulting in his recall. While the rotation hasn't been officially announced, the 24-year-old could replace Michael Lorenzen for the time being. David Holmberg will be bumped back to start Saturday for the Reds, while Anthony DeSclafani will now pitch Sunday, when Lorenezen was originally scheduled to go.

Lamb pitched five innings Wednesday for Triple-A Louisville in his debut for the Reds organization, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks, striking out eight.

The Reds need to replace Mike Leake in the rotation, and Leake was scheduled to pitch Sunday. It's unlikely that Lamb will be asked to pitch on short rest for that spot, especially after throwing 105 pitches Wednesday.

Lamb was traded to the Reds in the Johnny Cueto deal.

Lamb will begin his career in the Reds organization with Triple-A Louisville, per Matthew DeFranks of Sports Radio 810. The 25-year-old is near enough to the majors that a debut appearance is a decent bet in 2015, especially in September. He was previously considered a top 20 prospect going into 2011, but Tommy John surgery derailed that. Recently, he's looked great in Triple-A, throwing a 2.67 ERA and 1.155 WHIP in 94.1 innings for Omaha.

Lamb was optioned back to Triple-A Omaha following Friday's doubleheader.

Lamb was the 26th man for the doubleheader, so it was fairly evident he wan't staying with Kansas City past Friday. He did not make an appearance during the game he was on the roster for, as he was mainly there to provide insurance for the bullpen.

Lamb was recalled from Triple-A Omaha to serve as the 26th man for Friday's doubleheader.

The 23-year-old will make his first career trip up to the big league level after going 9-1 with a 2.68 ERA at Triple-A this season. He'll provide insurance out of the bullpen Friday before likely returning to Triple-A after the two-game set.

Royals optioned LHP John Lamb to Double-A Northwest Arkansas.

Lamb showed diminished velocity in Saturday's Cactus League game, but he reported no physical issues. Still, it's clear something isn't right mechanically. The 23-year-old will try to turn things around in Double-A after a rough 2013 campaign.

John Lamb was sitting between 86-89 mph while getting blasted for four earned runs on four hits and two walks while recording just two outs against the Brewers on Saturday.

"Tough to watch," observed the Kansas City Star's Andy McCullough. McCullough reported earlier in the day that the Royals hope Lamb will win a rotation spot at Triple-A Omaha this season. At this point, that is no lock. The 23-year-old southpaw similarly struggled with velocity during an ugly 2013 campaign on the farm in which he was coming off Tommy John surgery.

Andy McCullough of the Kansas City Star reports that the Royals hope John Lamb will work his way into the rotation at Triple-A Omaha for the 2014 season.

The 23-year-old southpaw spent the 2013 season recovering from Tommy John surgery, posting a 5.80 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 86/26 K/BB ratio over 108 2/3 innings between High-A Wilmington and Triple-A Omaha. The Royals still like his potential, but he'll have to improve the results in the minor leagues before becoming an option for the big league club.

John Lamb allowed five runs on six hits over five innings in his debut with Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.

He gave up two walks and had five strikeouts. Lamb was posting just a 5.63 ERA at High-A Wilmington, but the Royals want give him an extended look against a higher level of competition. He averaged 86-88 mph on his fastball and continues to struggle with his velocity in his first full season back from Tommy John surgery.

The Royals plan to promote pitching prospect John Lamb to Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.

Lamb, 23, has been at High-A Wilmington for all 19 starts this season in his first full year back from Tommy John surgery. While his 5.63 ERA isn't much to look at, he did throw seven shutout innings his last time out. There's no word on what his velocity has been up to lately, as that had been a concern for the Royals earlier this season.

John Lamb has touched 91 mph but has been working in the 86-88 mph range with his fastball this season at High-A Wilmington.

The good news is that Lamb's results are improving, as he was recently named Carolina League pitcher of the week for May 20-26 after working seven scoreless innings in his lone appearance. However, he'll need his pre-Tommy John surgery velocity to return if he wants to be considered a top prospect again.

John Lamb's fastball was clocked in the 87-91 mph range during his last two minor league starts.

While still not what he was throwing before Tommy John surgery, it's a notable jump from what he was registered at during his Cactus League appearances. Lamb was one of the better pitching prospects in the game before surgery but will have to re-establish himself in 2013.

Royals optioned LHP John Lamb to Double-A Northwest Arkansas.

Lamb allowed one run in two innings over two appearances during Cactus League action. The 22-year-old was one of the game's top pitching prospects prior to Tommy John surgery in 2011 and he's still trying to get his career back on track.