Keuchel scratched from start vs. Royals minutes before 1st pitch

Houston Astros ace Dallas Keuchel was scratched from his scheduled start on Wednesday against the Kansas City Royals just 10 minutes before first pitch due to an illness.

Right-hander Dayan Diaz will make the emergency start - the first of his major-league career - in place of Keuchel.

Keuchel had apparently been going about his normal routine at Kauffman Stadium, but suddenly returned to the clubhouse shortly before game time, according to Julia Morales of ROOT Sports. At that point, Diaz began to warm up in the bullpen.

Keuchel, the 2015 American League Cy Young winner, entered play Wednesday leading all MLB pitchers in wins (nine), ERA (1.67), WHIP (0.87), and ERA+ (232). Prior to the last-minute scratch Wednesday, the 29-year-old had yet to miss a start this year.

Diaz was recalled from Triple-A by the Astros earlier Wednesday. The 28-year-old has appeared in one game for the club this year as a reliever, allowing three runs in two-thirds of an inning on May 14. He owns a career 11.05 ERA in 7 1/3 innings pitched (seven games) with the Astros and Cincinnati.