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Noah Cameron Noah Cameron Strong in season debut
Wed, Apr 1, 2026, 11:28 PM
Cameron (1-0) allowed one run on four hits and a walk while striking out five over five innings to earn the win over the Twins on Wednesday.
Analysis: Cameron's season debut was a positive one, as he was able to limit the damage to a Brooks Lee RBI single in the fifth inning. Cameron made a strong first impression in 2025, starting 24 regular-season games and pitching to a 2.99 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 114:43 K:BB over 138.1 innings. Walks and long balls will be something to keep an eye on in his second big-league campaign, as he gave up 18 homers last season and plenty more loud contact that didn't get over the fence. He's projected to make his next start on the road in Cleveland, which could be the first outing of a two-start week for Cameron. |
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Steven Cruz Steven Cruz Summoned from minors
Wed, Apr 1, 2026, 3:16 PM
The Royals recalled Cruz from Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: He'll take the roster spot vacated by Carlos Estevez (foot), who was placed on the 15-day injured list. Cruz posted a 3.74 ERA and 38:18 K:BB over 45.2 frames for the Royals last season and should work low-leverage innings. |
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Carlos Estevez Carlos Estevez Goes on IL with foot contusion
Wed, Apr 1, 2026, 3:14 PM
The Royals placed Estevez (foot) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Estevez suffered a left foot contusion during an appearance Saturday in Atlanta when he was struck by a line drive. The reliever has also been dealing with velocity and delivery issues that have affected his overall effectiveness, and he'll get a chance to get back on track while on the IL and when he presumably goes on a rehab assignment. Estevez will be eligible to be reinstated April 14, but his timetable to return is currently up in the air. Lucas Erceg has stepped in as closer for the Royals and should continue in that role indefinitely. |
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Kyle Isbel Kyle Isbel Slugs first homer of 2026
Mon, Mar 30, 2026, 10:45 PM
Isbel went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and a stolen base in Monday's 3-1 victory over the Twins.
Analysis: Isbel took Woods Richardson deep in the bottom of the second inning to give Kansas City the lead, and that was all the offense his club needed. Isbel also delivered a single to center field in the seventh but was later stranded after stealing second. The 29-year-old is off to a strong start to 2026, as he's picked up a base knock in all three of his appearances and has also swiped a pair of bags. |
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John Schreiber John Schreiber Notches first save
Mon, Mar 30, 2026, 10:12 PM
Schreiber picked up the save Monday against the Twins by allowing one hit in a scoreless inning.
Analysis: Lucas Erceg pitched in back-to-back days Saturday and Sunday, so it was Schreiber who got the call in a save situation in Monday's series opener. The right-hander retired the first two batters he faced before giving up a single to Ryan Jeffers. Schreiber was then able to slam the door by getting Matt Wallner to ground out. It's not clear how many save opportunities Schreiber will get this year, as Erceg and Matt Strahm were likely unavailable due to recent workload and Carlos Estevez (ankle) is dealing with an injury, but it was promising to see Schreiber come through when called upon. |
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Kris Bubic Kris Bubic Secures first victory of 2026
Mon, Mar 30, 2026, 10:03 PM
Bubic (1-0) collected the win after allowing one run on two hits and three walks while striking out four across six innings Monday against the Twins.
Analysis: Bubic dealt with plenty of traffic on the base paths due to the three walks he issued, but the Twins' only run of the contest came on a solo home run by Matt Wallner in the top of the second inning. Bubic's 2025 campaign came to an early end after he was diagnosed with a left rotator cuff strain in July, so this was a strong first outing to 2026 for the southpaw. His next start tentatively lines up for Sunday against Milwaukee. |
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Michael Massey Michael Massey To begin rehab stint Tuesday
Mon, Mar 30, 2026, 7:59 PM
Massey (calf) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.
Analysis: Massey is on the mend from a low-grade left calf strain and is set to see live competition beginning Tuesday. He figures to appear in at least a few minor-league matchups, and while he's first eligible to be activated Wednesday, a return over the weekend seems more likely. |
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Carlos Estevez Carlos Estevez Evaluated for possible IL stint
Mon, Mar 30, 2026, 12:30 PM
Estevez (ankle) is likely to remain unavailable to pitch in Monday's game versus the Twins and will be evaluated for a possible stint on the injured list, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Estevez is still sporting a walking boot on his left foot as he recovers from an ankle contusion that he suffered when struck by a line drive Saturday. X-rays came back negative, but the Royals will consider an IL stint for Estevez if he hasn't made enough improvement following Tuesday's off day. Between the ankle injury and declining velocity that dates back to spring training, Estevez's standing as the Royals' closer is on shaky ground. Lucas Erceg notched a save for Kansas City in Sunday's win over Atlanta but could be unavailable Monday since he's pitched back-to-back days. Matt Strahm has also pitched each of the previous two days, so the Royals might have limited bullpen options Monday. |
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Drew Waters Drew Waters Outrighted to Triple-A
Sun, Mar 29, 2026, 4:59 PM
Waters was outrighted to Triple-A Omaha on Sunday.
Analysis: Waters was designated for assignment by the Royals on Wednesday, and he will now head to Omaha after clearing waivers. The outfielder played in 71 contests with Kansas City in 2025, batting .243 with a home run, 14 RBI, 21 runs scored and five stolen bases, and he'll likely get another shot with the major-league roster down the road this year. |
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Carter Jensen Carter Jensen Homers in win
Sun, Mar 29, 2026, 4:35 PM
Jensen went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a sacrifice fly in Sunday's 4-1 win over Atlanta.
Analysis: Jensen extended Kansas City's lead to 2-0 with a 371-foot shot off Grant Holmes, his first hit and home run of the season. The 22-year-old Jensen should continue to see regular at-bats in the middle of the Royals' lineup -- he got his first start at catcher Sunday after serving as the DH in his first two games. Jensen is now 1-for-8 to open the year after slashing .300/.391/.550 with three homers in 69 plate appearances last season. |
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Seth Lugo Seth Lugo Sharp in season debut
Sun, Mar 29, 2026, 3:31 PM
Lugo (1-0) earned the win Sunday over Atlanta, allowing five hits over 6.1 scoreless innings. He struck out three.
Analysis: It was a strong start to the year for Lugo, who held Atlanta to a lone extra-base hit en route to the Royals' first win this season. Lugo is looking to turn things around after an up-and-down 2025 campaign where he finished 8-7 with 125 strikeouts and a 4.15 ERA, his highest in five seasons. Lugo is tentatively scheduled to face the Brewers at home in his next outing. |
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Lucas Erceg Lucas Erceg Notches save Sunday
Sun, Mar 29, 2026, 3:18 PM
Erceg converted a save in Sunday's 4-1 win over Atlanta, striking out one batter while allowing a base hit over a scoreless inning. inducing a game-ending double play ball.
Analysis: Erceg was pitching on back-to-back days, but threw only 12 pitches on Saturday. Teammate Carlos Estevez blew the save Saturday in spectacular fashion and was unavailable to pitch due to an ankle injury, but he had diminished velocity throughout the spring, and manager Matt Quatraro suggested prior to Sunday's game that Estevez might be on shaky ground as the team's closer. After delivering a relatively stress-free save chance that culminated in a game-ending double play, Erceg is worthy of rostering on speculation in the event he ends up displacing the struggling Estevez in the ninth inning on a more permanent basis. |
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Carlos Estevez Carlos Estevez Unlikely to be used Sunday
Sun, Mar 29, 2026, 11:05 AM
Royals manager Matt Quatraro said that he would be "surprised" if Estevez is available out of the bullpen for Sunday's game in Atlanta, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Estevez was seen wearing a walking boot Sunday after taking a line drive off his left ankle Saturday, when he suffered a blown save after allowing six earned runs while recording just one out in the Royals' 6-2 loss. Though Estevez been diagnosed with nothing more than a contusion after getting X-rays on his ankle, the Royals appear content to stay away from the 33-year-old reliever, at least for one day. Per Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City, Quatraro added that he's "not averse to putting [Estevez] in a lower-leverage situation" once he's deemed available, which suggests that the right-hander may not have a stranglehold on the closer's gig after Saturday's blowup. Before the rough showing in his season debut, Estevez was coming off a discouraging spring training in which he noticed a steep decline in his velocity. |
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Isaac Collins Isaac Collins Exiting lineup Sunday
Sun, Mar 29, 2026, 10:26 AM
Collins is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against Atlanta.
Analysis: After starting in the first two contests of the season and going 0-for-6 with a walk and two strikeouts, Collins will hit the bench for the series finale in Atlanta. Lane Thomas will step in for Collins in left field. |
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Jonathan India Jonathan India Taking seat Sunday
Sun, Mar 29, 2026, 10:22 AM
India is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against Atlanta.
Analysis: Nick Loftin will step in at the keystone in place of India, who will rest after going 0-for-7 with a walk and three strikeouts while starting in both of the Royals' first two games of the season. |
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Carlos Estevez Carlos Estevez X-rays negative on ankle
Sun, Mar 29, 2026, 8:37 AM
Estevez had X-rays come back negative on his left ankle after being struck by a comebacker during Saturday's loss to Atlanta, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: The right-hander blew the save in his season debut, surrendering six runs on four hits and two walks in one-third of an inning. With the X-rays returning negative, the injury is now a secondary concern for the Royals and Estevez, who averaged just 91.2 mph with his fastball Saturday, down nearly five ticks from last season. The horrid outing doubled his worst performance from 2025, in which he gave up three runs. Estevez will likely have some leash as Kansas City's closer after recording 42 saves with a 2.45 ERA last year, but that leash is likely to be shorter if the velocity woes continue. |
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Carlos Estevez Carlos Estevez Implodes in season debut
Sat, Mar 28, 2026, 9:25 PM
Estevez (0-1) took the loss and a blown save Saturday against Atlanta, allowing six runs on four hits and two walks in one-third of an inning.
Analysis: It was a nightmarish season debut for Estevez, who failed to protect a two-run lead in the ninth inning. After showing diminished velocity during spring training, the right-hander's fastball topped out at 92.3 mph Saturday over his 23 pitches, which appears to be a major concern after he averaged 95.9 mph on his four-seamer last season. There's still time for him to find his form as Kansas City's closer, but the Royals have capable alternatives in Lucas Erceg and Matt Strahm if Estevez can't steady the ship. |
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Michael Wacha Michael Wacha Settles for no-decision
Sat, Mar 28, 2026, 9:10 PM
Wacha took a no-decision Saturday against Atlanta, allowing no runs on three hits and one walk in six innings. He struck out seven.
Analysis: Wacha performed about as well as one could have expected in his season debut against a tough Atlanta lineup, scattering three singles across six shutout frames. The veteran right-hander had also been in line for the win, but Carlos Estevez imploded in the ninth inning by yielding six runs and blowing the save. Wacha threw 80 pitches Saturday, so he'll be looking to increase his pitch count in his next scheduled start at home versus the Brewers. |
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Cole Ragans Cole Ragans Hit hard in Atlanta
Sat, Mar 28, 2026, 8:56 AM
Ragans (0-1) took the loss Friday, giving up four runs on six hits -- including three home runs -- and four walks over four innings as the Royals were downed 6-0 by Atlanta. He struck out five.
Analysis: It was a rough beginning to 2026 for the southpaw, as Ragans got taken deep by Ozzie Albies, Drake Baldwin and Michael Harris before getting the hook after 90 pitches (52 strikes). Ragans' first priority this season is just to stay healthy after he managed only 13 starts last season, and on that front his workload was encouraging, even if his command and control aren't yet in peak form. Ragans will look to bounce back in his next start, which is scheduled to come at home next week against the Twins. |
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Jac Caglianone Jac Caglianone Idle against southpaw
Fri, Mar 27, 2026, 12:09 PM
Caglianone isn't part of the starting lineup for Friday's game against Atlanta.
Analysis: The lefty-hitting Caglianone will dodge a matchup with Chris Sale on Friday, allowing Starling Marte to draw the start in right field. Caglianone and Marte are expected to platoon to begin the season, but Caglianone could earn looks against left-handed pitching with a strong start. |
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