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Noah Cameron Noah Cameron Contending for rotation spot?
Fri, Feb 21, 2025, 7:54 PM
Cameron could be a candidate to make the Royals' Opening Day rotation with a strong spring, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Cameron entered camp as a long shot to make the Opening Day roster, primarily due to the amount of talent the Royals already have in their big-league rotation. However, with Alec Marsh (shoulder) and Kyle Wright (shoulder/hamstring) both dealing with injuries, the competition for the fifth spot in Kansas City's starting unit has thinned out, opening the door for Cameron. The 25-year-old southpaw only reached Triple-A in July of last season, but he turned in a 2.32 ERA and 1.02 WHIP alongside a 62:11 K:BB in 54.1 innings over nine starts at Omaha -- good enough land a spot on Kansas City's 40-man roster this winter. He showed no signs of slowing down during his spring training debut, throwing two scoreless innings against the Rangers on Friday. |
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Alec Marsh Alec Marsh Throwing bullpen session Friday
Fri, Feb 21, 2025, 9:15 AM
Marsh (shoulder) is slated to throw a bullpen session Friday, MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Marsh first experienced tightness in his right shoulder during his offseason throwing program and has been brought along slowly early in camp. Returning to mound work Friday offers him time to ramp up ahead of Opening Day, although he probably can't afford any setbacks. Marsh is competing for the final spot in the Royals' rotation. |
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Jonathan India Jonathan India In left field for Cactus opener
Fri, Feb 21, 2025, 8:44 AM
India is starting in left field and batting leadoff Friday versus the Rangers in the Royals' Cactus League opener.
Analysis: It was known that India would be getting reps in the outfield during camp, but it's interesting that his first start this spring is in left field. India has never played anywhere other than second base at the major-league level, and the keystone could still be his primary position this season. However, India getting starts in left field opens up second base for Michael Massey, who will start at that position Friday. |
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Kyle Wright Kyle Wright Suffers mild hamstring strain
Thu, Feb 20, 2025, 11:30 AM
Wright (shoulder) is dealing with a mild right hamstring strain, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Wright suffered the injury while throwing recently. He has been able to continue playing catch, but the hamstring issue will set his throwing progression back a bit as he returns from shoulder surgery. Wright will be re-evaluated next week. The righty had already seemed like a long shot to win a spot in the Royals' rotation, and this setback won't help his case. |
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Ross Stripling Ross Stripling Inks MiLB deal with KC
Wed, Feb 19, 2025, 5:59 PM
Stripling agreed to a minor-league contract with the Royals on Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training.
Analysis: Stripling has been a successful swingman at times throughout his career but had to settle for a minor-league deal after posting a 6.01 ERA across 85.1 innings with the Athletics last season. While the veteran right-hander will compete for a place on the Opening Day roster, he should be considered more likely to begin the campaign at Triple-A Omaha. |
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MJ Melendez MJ Melendez Showing off revamped swing in camp
Wed, Feb 19, 2025, 10:44 AM
Melendez said Tuesday that he spent the offseason in Miami revamping his swing during workouts, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Specifically, Melendez has adjusted his positioning at the plate, decreased his leg kick and demonstrated a more balanced stance in the batter's box. Melendez is hopeful that the change will simplify his movements and allow him to be more consistent at the plate, after he struck out at a 25.1 percent clip and slashed a career-worst .206/.273/.400 in 450 plate appearances a season ago. Melendez doesn't believe the adjustment will result in him sacrificing power, which was his main calling card during his minor-league career and through his first three seasons in the majors. The lefty-hitting Melendez should be poised to open the 2025 campaign as a strong-side platoon player in left field, though after catching in 10 games in 2023, he will no longer carry eligibility at catcher in any fantasy league since he didn't see any action behind the plate in 2024. |
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Luke Maile Luke Maile Inks minor-league deal with Royals
Sun, Feb 16, 2025, 4:32 PM
Maile agreed to a minor-league contract with the Royals on Sunday that includes an invite to big-league camp.
Analysis: Maile appeared in 55 games with the Reds in 2024, batting .178 with two home runs, eight RBI, eight runs scored and two stolen bases over 135 at-bats. The catcher will attend spring training with Kansas City, and he'll look to impress in order to potentially secure a spot on the Royals' 26-man roster at some point in 2025. |
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Cole Ragans Cole Ragans Agrees to three-year extension
Fri, Feb 14, 2025, 7:11 PM
Ragans agreed to a three-year, $13.25 million contract extension with the Royals on Friday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: In addition to covering him for the 2025 season, Ragans' new contract also buys out his first two seasons of arbitration eligibility. The 27-year-old southpaw cemented himself as one of Kansas City's top starters last season, finishing with a 3.14 ERA and 1.14 WHIP while striking out 223 batters over 186.1 innings. |
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Kyle Wright Kyle Wright Could throw live BP next week
Fri, Feb 14, 2025, 11:17 AM
Wright (shoulder) could be ready to throw a live batting practice session next week, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Recovering from surgery to repair a torn capsule in his right shoulder, Wright will throw at least one more bullpen session before progressing to facing hitters. The righty hopes to be ready for Opening Day, but it will depend on how he looks and feels as he ramps things up. Wright could potentially compete for a spot in the Royals' Opening Day rotation, but he might be a long shot given how much time he's missed and the fact that he's behind others in camp with his throwing progression. |
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James McArthur James McArthur On mend from elbow surgery
Wed, Feb 12, 2025, 11:19 AM
McArthur will be delayed to begin spring training after he underwent surgery in the offseason to address an olecranon fracture in his right elbow, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: McArthur's procedure didn't address any ligament damage, but he needed to have two screws placed in his arm to help stabilize his elbow. The right-hander recently started up his throwing progression, but he'll be further behind the Royals' healthy pitchers while he ramps up. The Royals haven't yet suggested that McArthur's availability for Opening Day is in any jeopardy. |
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Alec Marsh Alec Marsh Recovering from tight shoulder
Wed, Feb 12, 2025, 11:17 AM
Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Wednesday Marsh is recovering from right shoulder tightness that could delay when he will first face hitters, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Marsh experienced the tightness during his offseason throwing program. He has resumed throwing every day and there doesn't seem to be much concern at the moment that it could be a long-term issue, but he will be a bit behind schedule. Even a slight delay for Marsh isn't ideal, as he is competing this spring to be the Royals' fifth starter. Marsh's primary competitor for that spot is Kris Bubic. |
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Thomas Hatch Thomas Hatch NRI pact with Kansas City
Fri, Feb 7, 2025, 10:41 AM
The Royals signed Hatch to a minor-league contract Friday that includes an invitation to spring training.
Analysis: Hatch pitched for the Nippon-Ham Fighters in Japan this past season, posting a 3.53 ERA and 64:23 K:BB over 94.1 innings. He has experience both as a starter and reliever and it's not clear what role the Royals have planned for him, but he's likely to begin the year at Triple-A Omaha either way. |
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Jonathan India Jonathan India To get reps in outfield
Sat, Feb 1, 2025, 11:43 AM
India (ankle) said Saturday that he has talked with the Royals about playing third base and left field in addition to second base, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: India has never fielded a position other than second base at the major-league level, though he served primarily as a third baseman in the minors back in 2019. Left field, on the other hand, will be a completely new experience for the 28-year-old, but he cited his athleticism as a reason to believe he'll succeed in the new role. The Royals will likely start India in left field several times during spring training, though it's unclear how often he will venture away from the keystone once the regular season begins. |
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Braden Shewmake Braden Shewmake Squeezed off 40-man
Fri, Jan 31, 2025, 6:23 PM
The Royals designated Shewmake for assignment Friday.
Analysis: The Royals made the signing of Carlos Estevez official Friday, leaving no room on the 40-man roster for Shewmake. The 27-year-old infielder will now enter the waiver process for the second time in the last 30 days, and his reputation as a strong defender could get him picked up by another club. |
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Carlos Estevez Carlos Estevez Signing with Kansas City
Wed, Jan 29, 2025, 6:06 PM
Estevez agreed to a two-year, $20.2 million contract with the Royals on Wednesday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: The deal also reportedly features a $13 million club option for 2027 with a $2 million buyout. Estevez is coming off the best year of his career, finishing 2024 with a 2.45 ERA and 0.91 WHIP through 55 regular-season innings while converting 26 saves between the Angels and Phillies. Now in Kansas City, the 32-year-old righty is likely to take over as the Royals' primary closer, which would push Lucas Erceg into a setup role. |
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Harold Castro Harold Castro Latches on with KC
Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 11:24 AM
Castro signed a minor-league contract with the Royals on Saturday and received an invitation to spring training.
Analysis: Castro spent the 2024 season in the Mexican Baseball League, where he slashed .320/.366/.447 across 363 plate appearances. He'll now attempt an MLB comeback after his strong season in Mexico, though there's a good chance his return to affiliated ball begins at Triple-A Omaha. |
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John Schreiber John Schreiber Avoids arbitration
Thu, Jan 9, 2025, 3:21 PM
The Royals and Schreiber avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.3 million contract Thursday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Schreiber had been arbitration-eligible for a second time. The right-handed reliever saw his strikeout rate dip to 20.5 percent in 2024 in his first year in Kansas City but remained useful with a 3.66 ERA and 1.32 WHIP. He'll be used in middle relief in 2025. |
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MJ Melendez MJ Melendez Avoids arbitration with Kansas City
Thu, Jan 9, 2025, 3:18 PM
The Royals and Melendez avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.65 million contract Thursday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Melendez regressed in 2024 with just a .674 OPS over 135 games. The Royals will start off 2025 playing him regularly at least versus right-handers, but with the playoffs in mind they might not have as much patience with Melendez if he can't take some strides. |
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Carlos Hernandez Carlos Hernandez Settles with Kansas City
Thu, Jan 9, 2025, 3:15 PM
The Royals and Hernandez avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.16 million contract Thursday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: It was the second year of arbitration eligibility for Hernandez, who posted a 3.30 ERA and 27:16 K:BB across 30 innings in 2024. The righty has teased with his big fastball but has shown no indication to this point that he can be consistently relied upon. |
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Hunter Harvey Hunter Harvey Avoids arbitration
Thu, Jan 9, 2025, 3:12 PM
The Royals and Harvey avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.7 million contract Thursday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Harvey dealt with back problems last season which limited him to just six appearances after the Royals acquired him via trade. He enter spring training healthy and should be a key setup man if he can stay off the injured list. |
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