Aaron Crow has been moved back to the bullpen.

Crow entered spring training with a legitimate shot at landing a spot in the Royals' starting rotation, but Joakim Soria's recent elbow issues have forced a return to relief for the 25-year-old right-hander. He is likely to function as a setup man this year for Kansas City.

Aaron Crow spun two scoreless relief innings Thursday, allowing no hits and one walk while striking out two in a win over the Rockies.

A nice first outing from the young right-hander. The Royals are giving Crow a shot at a rotation spot, though manager Ned Yost seems prepared to shift him back to the bullpen unless he really wows in camp. He's certainly off to a good start.

Royals manager Ned Yost acknowledged that it's probably unrealistic to expect Aaron Crow to be able to stay in the team's rotation for a full season.

"Realistically, it would be tough for him to make 32 starts," Yost said. "But he could make 10 starts and go to the pen. He could make five starts and go to the pen. He could open in the pen and make 10 starts later or 15 starts. I don't know." Crow threw 62 innings out of the bullpen in 2011, and it sounds like the Royals don't want his innings to jump up too dramatically in 2012. He'll compete for a spot in the rotation in spring training, but it's clear his long-term role is still yet to be determined.

Aaron Crow will join the Royals' rotation in 2012.

At least, that's going to be the plan entering spring training. Crow posted a stellar 2.76 ERA over 62 relief appearances as a rookie in 2011 and was drafted as a starter out of the Universtity of Missouri. Still, there's no guarantee that he'll make an easy jump to the Kansas City rotation. Crow is on the fringe of sleeper status.

Aaron Crow told Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star that he hopes to make the transition to the starting rotation next season.

"I'm comfortable with (starting)," explained Crow. "I've done that my whole life. Whatever happens happens, but I'm going into spring training with the goal of making the rotation. I hope that works out." Crow pitched almost exclusively as a starter in the minors, but posted a 2.76 ERA over 62 relief appearances as a rookie in 2011 and even made the American League All-Star team. The 25-year-old right-hander has the chance to provide much more value to the Royals as a starter in the long-term, but his spotty command could prove problematic.

Royals manager Ned Yost acknowledged Monday that Aaron Crow recently dealt with some minor arm ailments.

"He developed shoulder tightness or stiffness," said Yost. "We sat him for a couple of days. He felt better. Then he developed some forearm tightness, and we sat him for a couple of days. This was all right after the All-Star break. He feels great now, but he just hasn't been as sharp." Crow, 24, has a 1.13 ERA and 5/4 K/BB ratio over eight innings since the All-Star break, so he hasn't been a complete disaster, but Yost is currently relying on Greg Holland as his primary bridge to closer Joakim Soria.

Royals general manager Dayton Moore told Jim Bowden of MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM that Aaron Crow will move into the staring rotation next season.

Crow was a starting pitcher in the minors, but has pitched exclusively in relief with the Royals in his rookie season, posting a 2.00 ERA and 45/20 K/BB ratio over 45 innings. He was the Royals' lone representative at this month's All-Star Game. Bowden speculates that this plan may cause the Royals to keep closer Joakim Soria, despite his name routinely popping up in trade rumors.

Aaron Crow is battling an illness and is unlikely to pitch in the All-Star game.

"It's either (strep throat) or a sinus infection," Crow said. "(The doctor) gave me some medicine and I'm feeling a lot better." Crow will be used Tuesday only if the game goes to extra innings or if other pitchers exceed their pitch counts. The first-time All-Star anticipates being fine by Thursday for the start of the second half.

Royals reliever Aaron Crow was unavailable on Thursday after leaving the team upon receiving word of the death of his grandfather.

However, he could rejoin the team as soon as today. Crow is in the midst of an excellent rookie season, posting a 1.26 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 35/17 K/BB ratio in 35 2/3 innings out of the Royals bullpen. He has a decent shot at being named Kansas City's All-Star representative.

Aaron Crow hasn't allowed a run in two appearances since returning to his normal setup role.

Crow was in line for save opportunities in early June while Joakim Soria was struggling with his velocity, but Soria has turned things around and again has a firm grasp on the Royals' ninth inning role. Crow can be dropped in fantasy leagues.

Aaron Crow struck out two during a scoreless inning of relief in Tuesday's loss against the Indians.

Crow, the 12th pick in 2009's First-Year Player Draft, has a 0.89 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in 20 1/3 innings. The rookie has been one of baseball's best setup men this season, but obviously has no chance of wrestling the closer's job from Joakim Soria at any point.

Aaron Crow has not allowed a run in 10 1/3 innings of relief this season.

Crow has 12 strikeouts and has walked only four batters. He's one of seven pitchers since 1919 to open a career with no runs allowed and at least one strikeout through seven appearances. Joba Chamberlain holds the record at eight consecutive appearances.

Royals manager Ned Yost plans to use a "two-tiered" bullpen where he'll only pitch certain guys when the game is close and the others when they're either way ahead or more than three runs behind.

As it stands right now, Kanekoa Texeira, Aaron Crow, Tim Collins and Robinson Tejeda are part of the "close game" group, with Sean O'Sullivan, Jeremy Jeffress and Nate Adcock being used during mop-up time. Yost prefers to use Joakim Soria only in save situations. Who will pitch in which group is subject to change, of course, and we'd expect to see the fireballing Jeffress eventually move his way into the first group.