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Stephen Kolek Stephen Kolek Has Grade 1 oblique strain
Fri, Feb 27, 2026, 11:31 AM
Kolek has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 left oblique strain, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: As Rogers reported Thursday, Kolek will be shut down for at least the next week before determining the next steps in his recovery. Kolek is competing for a spot in Kansas City's rotation this spring. |
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Michael Massey Michael Massey Picks up pair of hits
Thu, Feb 26, 2026, 10:44 PM
Massey went 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Thursday's Cactus League loss to the Diamondbacks.
Analysis: Massey got in on the action during the Royals' high-scoring affair, collecting a pair of hits, highlighted by an RBI double in the fifth inning. The 27-year-old is off to a much-needed strong start this spring as he looks to prove himself heading into the regular season after a disappointing, injury-riddled 2025 campaign in which he slashed .244/.268/.313 with nine doubles, three homers and 20 RBI across 77 games. His versatility is a plus, though that alone is far from a guarantee of regular opportunities in the lineup. |
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Stephen Kolek Stephen Kolek Diagnosed with left oblique strain
Thu, Feb 26, 2026, 11:00 AM
Kolek has been diagnosed with a left oblique strain and will be sidelined for at least the next 5-to-7 days, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: As Rogers notes, Kolek could be sidelined even longer if his Thursday scans reveal the injury is more severe. Kolek felt his side grab while warming up in the bullpen during Wednesday's Cactus League bout with the Mariners. Kolek is competing for a spot in Kansas City's rotation this spring after he was acquired from the Padres at the trade deadline last summer. |
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Stephen Kolek Stephen Kolek Nursing side injury
Wed, Feb 25, 2026, 5:30 PM
Kolek felt tightness in his left side while warming up in the bullpen during the Royals' 8-8 tie against the Mariners in Wednesday's Cactus League game, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Kolek went into the clubhouse to have his left side evaluated by medical staff, and an update on his status should be made Thursday. The 28-year-old right-hander was acquired by the Royals from the Padres at the trade deadline in late July and is competing for a spot in Kansas City's rotation for the 2026 season. Across five starts with the Royals in 2025, Kolek posted a 1-2 record with a 1.91 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 21:5 K:BB across 33 innings. |
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Jac Caglianone Jac Caglianone Drives first homer of spring
Wed, Feb 25, 2026, 8:00 AM
Caglianone went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Tuesday's Cactus League loss to the Reds.
Analysis: Caglianone showcased his raw power, launching a tape-measure blast off Brandon Williamson that left the bat at 115.2 mph and traveled 460 feet in the fourth inning. It marked his first homer of the spring and came against a southpaw after he slashed .180/.254/.377 with five extra-base hits and five RBI in 67 plate appearances versus left-handers last season. After a disappointing debut campaign in which he posted a .532 OPS with 14 extra-base hits and 18 RBI over 62 games, there remains plenty of intrigue and excitement surrounding the 2024 first-round pick, though Caglianone still has much to prove heading into the 2026 regular season. |
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Maikel Garcia Maikel Garcia Pair of hits from leadoff spot
Mon, Feb 23, 2026, 8:23 PM
Garcia went 2-for-2 in Monday's Cactus League loss to the Cubs.
Analysis: Garcia showed some pop Monday, collecting a pair of singles that both left the bat at over 100 mph in his two plate appearances before being lifted. Notably, the third baseman was slotted into the leadoff spot as manager Matt Quatraro evaluates options atop the lineup for the regular season. The 25-year-old broke out with an .800 OPS across 160 games last year while hitting most often in the cleanup spot, but a one-two combination of Garcia and Bobby Witt would give the Royals a dynamic duo to open the lineup. |
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Dairon Blanco Dairon Blanco Cleared of possible concussion
Mon, Feb 23, 2026, 12:22 PM
Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Monday that Blanco has been cleared of a full concussion but will be limited to light activity over the next few days, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Blanco was struck in the helmet by a pitch during Sunday's Cactus League game against the Brewers. He will continue to be evaluated but appears to have avoided a serious injury. The speedy Blanco is competing for a reserve role with the Royals. |
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Carter Jensen Carter Jensen Singles in spring debut
Mon, Feb 23, 2026, 11:14 AM
Jensen started at catcher and went 1-for-3 in Sunday's Cactus League win over the Brewers.
Analysis: Jensen was out of the lineup for the Royals' first two games before making his spring debut Sunday, grounding out in his first two at-bats before pulling a single into right field in the sixth inning before being lifted. One of the most highly touted catching prospects in baseball, the 22-year-old mashed during his brief stint with the Royals in 2025, slashing .300/.391/.550 with nine extra-base hits and 13 RBI across 20 games in September. The presence of franchise icon Salvador Perez is worth noting, but Jensen should still see regular action in the Kansas City lineup in 2026, whether behind the plate or at designated hitter. |
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Bailey Falter Bailey Falter Tosses two scoreless frames
Mon, Feb 23, 2026, 11:02 AM
Falter allowed a hit and no walks across two scoreless innings in Sunday's Cactus League win over the Brewers. He did not record a strikeout.
Analysis: Falter got the start Sunday and delivered a clean outing, allowing just one baserunner on a 77.8 mph single by Jake Bauers in the second inning. The southpaw didn't record a strikeout, though that's not especially surprising given his low-90s fastball and 5.8 K/9 across 125.1 innings last season. After finishing 2025 on the injured list with a left biceps contusion, it's encouraging to see the 28-year-old healthy and without restrictions this spring. With a deep group that includes Noah Cameron, Stephen Kolek and Ryan Bergert competing for rotation spots, Falter is a strong candidate to open the year in a long-relief role for the Royals. |
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Isaac Collins Isaac Collins Slow-played after PRP injections
Mon, Feb 23, 2026, 10:39 AM
Collins has been held out of Cactus League play thus far after receiving platelet-rich plasma injections in his knees over the offseason, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Collins is "feeling great" and is slated to make his spring training debut Tuesday against the Reds. Kansas City traded for Collins in December and Quatraro said the team knew about the PRP injections at the time of the deal. Collins is competing for the Royals' left-field job with Lane Thomas. |
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Dairon Blanco Dairon Blanco Headed for further evaluation
Sun, Feb 22, 2026, 5:21 PM
Blanco is being sent for further evaluation after getting struck in the helmet by a pitch during Sunday's Cactus League game against the Brewers, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Blanco was initially able to remain in the game after being checked out by a team trainer, but manager Matt Quatraro noted after the exhibition that Blanco is headed for further evaluation after experiencing dizziness. He can be considered day-to-day until further notice. |
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Ryan Bergert Ryan Bergert Delivers scoreless inning
Sat, Feb 21, 2026, 8:10 PM
Bergert (elbow) allowed no runs on a hit and a walk with no strikeouts across one inning in Saturday's Cactus League loss to San Diego.
Analysis: Bergert made his spring debut Saturday, allowing a leadoff double and a two-out walk before retiring the side without damage in his lone inning of work. The right-hander showed promise as a rookie in 2025 before finishing the season on the injured list due to a right elbow strain, posting a 3.66 ERA and 1.26 WHIP across 19 appearances (15 starts) between San Diego and Kansas City after being dealt at the trade deadline in the Freddy Fermin deal. Bergert will compete for a spot in the Royals' deep rotation, with Noah Cameron, Stephen Kolek and Bailey Falter also in the mix. |
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Elias Diaz Elias Diaz Catches on with Royals as NRI
Fri, Feb 20, 2026, 8:27 AM
The Royals signed Diaz to a minor-league contract Friday that includes an invitation to spring training.
Analysis: Diaz is expected to report to Royals camp next week. The 35-year-old appeared in 106 regular-season contests for the Padres last season, slashing .204/.270/.337 with nine long balls. Unless the Royals carry three catchers on their Opening Day roster, Diaz is likely ticketed for Triple-A Omaha. |
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James McArthur James McArthur Will be eased in this spring
Thu, Feb 19, 2026, 1:10 PM
McArthur (elbow) is considered healthy but will be eased into a throwing program this spring, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.
Analysis: McArthur had surgery last offseason to insert two screws into his right elbow to help stabilize a stress fracture. He then had another procedure in July to remove the screws after they had caused an allergic reaction in his elbow. McArthur wound up not pitching at all in 2025, but he's been throwing off the mound for a few months. He was also diagnosed with a Grade 1 UCL sprain prior to the first elbow surgery, so it's no surprise the righty is being slow-played this spring after all the missed time. McArthur should have enough time to be ready for Opening Day if he can avoid setbacks. |
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Lucas Erceg Lucas Erceg Throwing off mound in Royals camp
Thu, Feb 19, 2026, 12:54 PM
Erceg (shoulder) is throwing off the mound in Royals camp, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.
Analysis: Erceg's 2025 season ended in mid-September due to a right shoulder impingement, but he doesn't seem to have any restrictions in the early stages of spring training. The reliever collected a 2.64 ERA and 22 holds last season but saw a year-over-year drop in strikeout rate from 28.5 percent to 19.3 percent. As long as he's healthy, Erceg should produce more swing and miss in 2026 and will serve as a setup man ahead of closer Carlos Estevez. |
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Lane Thomas Lane Thomas Fully healthy after foot surgery
Thu, Feb 19, 2026, 12:47 PM
Thomas said Thursday that he's fully healthy after surgery last September to address plantar fasciitis in his right foot, Sports Radio 810 WHB reports.
Analysis: Thomas played only 39 contests in 2025 due to nagging plantar fasciitis issues before he eventually went under the knife, but he's full-go early on in Royals camp. Signed to a one-year, $5.25 million contract this offseason, Thomas could see the lion's share of playing time in left field for Kansas City this season. He'll have to prove he still has something in the tank, however, after hitting just .160/.246/.272 during his disastrous 2025 campaign. |
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Kris Bubic Kris Bubic Throws live batting practice
Wed, Feb 18, 2026, 11:11 AM
Bubic (shoulder) threw a live batting practice session Saturday, Jaylon Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.
Analysis: It was the first time in nearly seven months that Bubic faced hitters, as he missed nearly all of the second half of 2025 after being diagnosed with a left rotator cuff strain. The southpaw said after the session that he "felt good" about his velocity and movement and experienced only "normal soreness." Bubic is slated for another live BP session Wednesday and will progress to game action after that. He is expected to be ready to roll on Opening Day. |
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Salvador Perez Salvador Perez Looks healthy for spring
Mon, Feb 16, 2026, 1:52 PM
Perez (thumb) took live batting practice during Monday's full-squad workout, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Perez had previously injured his thumb during the offseason while playing in the Venezuelan Winter League, but he looks to have made a full recovery prior to reporting to camp last week. The 35-year-old Perez heads into the upcoming campaign with considerable tread on his tires after logging at least 140 starts in four of the past five seasons. However, the Royals made more of an effort to keep him fresh last season by limiting him to 89 starts at catcher, with his other 66 coming at either designated hitter or first base. With young catcher Carter Jensen expected get a full-time look in the majors in 2026, the Royals should be able to continue managing Perez's workload behind the dish while still keeping his bat in the lineup on a near-everyday basis. |
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Maikel Garcia Maikel Garcia Back healthy for spring training
Sun, Feb 15, 2026, 1:59 PM
Garcia (hamstring) took live batting practice against teammate Stephen Kolek on Sunday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Garcia strained his hamstring back in December while playing in the Venezuela Winter League, but that's no longer a concern. After a breakout 2025 campaign in which he hit .286 with 16 home runs and 23 stolen bases, Garcia was rewarded with a five-year contract extension this offseason. The 25-year-old is slated to play for Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic this spring. |
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John Means John Means Signs MiLB deal with Royals
Fri, Feb 13, 2026, 4:37 PM
Means (Achilles) signed a two-year, minor-league contract with the Royals on Friday.
Analysis: Means missed all of last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, and he's now due to miss the entire 2026 campaign after rupturing his Achilles during the offseason. His two-year deal will allow him to remain with the Royals in 2027, at which point the left-hander will work toward making his first MLB appearance since 2024 and just his 11th since 2022. |
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