Royals demote Jackson Kowar

The Royals announced today they have demoted right-hander Jackson Kowar to Triple-A Omaha and have activated reliever Joel Payamps from a family emergency. Kowar pitched in just one game for the Royals this season, entering Sunday’s game against Cleveland as a long reliever after Kris Bubic was lifted in the first inning. Kowar entered the game in the second and gave up 11 hits and 7 runs in 3 1⁄3 innings of work.

Kowar has struggled in almost every outing he has had in the big leagues since he made his debut in June of last year. He failed to get to the third inning of his first two starts, and lasted just five innings in two of his eight starts, allowing fewer than four runs just once. He…