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Matt Strahm Matt Strahm Receives injection for knee injury
Thu, May 21, 2026, 11:16 AM
Strahm received an injection Monday to help with symptoms of right knee inflammation, MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Strahm was placed on the injured list Saturday after patellar tendinitis flared up during his outing Friday. While a formal recovery timeline hasn't been established, the southpaw plans to keep his arm in shape as much as possible while rehabbing his knee back to full strength. Before being shelved, Strahm logged 16.1 innings with a 3.86 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 17:7 K:BB in 2026. |
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Elias Diaz Elias Diaz Goes yard in loss
Thu, May 21, 2026, 10:36 AM
Diaz went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 4-3 loss against the Red Sox.
Analysis: Diaz put his club ahead with a two-run, 102.5 mph rocket over the left-center field wall in the fifth inning, though the bullpen would relinquish the lead as the Royals were unable to avoid being swept. As the third catcher on the roster behind Salvador Perez and Carter Jensen, playing opportunities for Diaz have been sporadic and limited. The veteran has gone 5-for-22 (.227) with four extra-base hits (two homers), five RBI and three runs scored across 10 appearances. |
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Lane Thomas Lane Thomas Pinch-hits in loss
Wed, May 20, 2026, 11:15 PM
Thomas (hamstring) went 0-for-1 with a flyout in Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Red Sox.
Analysis: Thomas was removed from Tuesday's game with hamstring soreness, but he's evidently healthy enough to take at-bats. With Aroldis Chapman on the mound for Boston in the bottom of the ninth inning, Thomas pinch-hit for lefty Kyle Isbel. Thomas is just 4-for-26 (.154) with one double, four RBI and a 6:10 BB:K this month, dropping his OPS to .619 across 108 plate appearances on the season. |
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Salvador Perez Salvador Perez Swats eighth homer in loss
Wed, May 20, 2026, 11:05 PM
Perez went 3-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Red Sox.
Analysis: Perez got the scoring started by taking lefty Connelly Early deep on a 94 mph fastball in the bottom of the first inning. He later singled in the sixth and eighth innings, giving Perez his third three-hit game of the season. After seeing his average dip below the Mendoza Line with an 0-for-5 start to the series against the Red Sox, Perez is now slashing .211/.259/.368 with eight home runs, 21 RBI, 18 runs scored and a 9:42 BB:K across 201 plate appearances this season. After being in the 91st percentile with a 14.8 percent barrel rate last season, Perez is barreling just 8.5 percent of his batted balls in 2026. He's also experienced sharp declines in his hard-hit rate and bat speed at 36 years old. |
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Michael Wacha Michael Wacha Quality start in no-decision
Wed, May 20, 2026, 10:58 PM
Wacha didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Red Sox, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits and two walks with eight strikeouts across six innings.
Analysis: All four of Wacha's outings this month have resulted in quality starts. He left with a 3-2 lead Wednesday, but Steven Cruz coughed up a two-run homer to Jarren Duran in the top of the seventh inning to spoil a potential victory for Wacha. The right-hander still racked up a season-high eight strikeouts and lowered his ERA to 2.70 with a career-best 1.03 WHIP and 55:20 K:BB across 63.1 innings this season. Wacha is slated to make his next start at home against the Yankees on Monday. |
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Lane Thomas Lane Thomas Nursing hamstring injury
Wed, May 20, 2026, 4:08 PM
Royals manager Matt Quatraro told reporters that Thomas will not be in the starting lineup for Wednesday's series finale against the Red Sox due to hamstring soreness, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.
Analysis: Thomas tweaked his hamstring during Tuesday's loss to Boston, but the injury is considered to be minor. He'll be available off the bench for Wednesday's contest while Isaac Collins, Kyle Isbel and Jac Caglianone will start in the outfield from left to right. With the Royals having an off-day Thursday, Thomas could be available for Friday's series opener against the Mariners. |
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Michael Massey Michael Massey Left out of lineup vs. lefty
Wed, May 20, 2026, 2:30 PM
Massey is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Red Sox.
Analysis: He'll hit the bench for the second day in a row while the Red Sox send another lefty starter (Connelly Early) to the hill. Nick Loftin will pick up a start at second base in place of Massey. |
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Carter Jensen Carter Jensen Getting day off against lefty
Wed, May 20, 2026, 2:29 PM
Jensen is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Red Sox.
Analysis: After starting and going 1-for-3 with a double in Tuesday's 7-1 loss while southpaw Ranger Suarez took the bump for Boston, the left-handed-hitting Jensen will move to the bench for the series finale. Elias Diaz will fill in for Jensen behind the dish as the Red Sox send another southpaw (Connelly Early) to the bump. |
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Vinnie Pasquantino Vinnie Pasquantino Idle against southpaw
Wed, May 20, 2026, 2:21 PM
Pasquantino is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Red Sox.
Analysis: After starting and going 0-for-3 with a walk in Tuesday's 7-1 loss while southpaw Ranger Suarez took the bump for Boston, the left-handed-hitting Pasquantino will move to the bench for the series finale. Salvador Perez will fill in for Pasquantino at first base as the Red Sox send another southpaw (Connelly Early) to the bump. |
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John Schreiber John Schreiber Delivers scoreless frame in loss
Wed, May 20, 2026, 11:21 AM
Schreiber allowed a hit and no walks while striking out two over a scoreless inning Tuesday against Boston.
Analysis: Schreiber entered in the sixth inning with his club facing a one-run deficit and was able to keep it there, though the offense never rallied and the relievers who followed him coughed up five more runs in Tuesday's loss. The right-hander has tallied multiple punchouts in back-to-back appearances after failing to do so in his first 19 outings of the season. Overall, Schreiber owns a 3.26 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 11:10 K:BB across 19.1 innings and hasn't seen many high-leverage opportunities, as his lone save came March 30. |
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Lane Thomas Lane Thomas Tallies RBI double
Wed, May 20, 2026, 11:14 AM
Thomas went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and was caught stealing in Tuesday's 7-1 loss to Boston.
Analysis: Thomas started the scoring for Kansas City with an RBI double in the first inning, though the Royals wouldn't score again in the loss. Tuesday marked the 30-year-old's second multi-hit effort of the campaign and his first since April 26. Known for his ability to hit left-handed pitching, the outfielder owns an .826 OPS across 51 plate appearances versus southpaws compared to a .456 mark across 56 plate appearances against right-handers this season. Overall, Thomas is slashing .212/.355/.271 with a homer, two doubles, nine RBI, eight runs and three stolen bases across 38 games. |
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Isaac Collins Isaac Collins Taking seat Tuesday
Tue, May 19, 2026, 2:10 PM
Collins is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Red Sox.
Analysis: It looks to be a routine day off for Collins, who had started each of the previous eight contests. Starling Marte is playing left field and batting sixth for the Royals. |
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Jac Caglianone Jac Caglianone Pair of doubles in loss
Tue, May 19, 2026, 8:33 AM
Caglianone went 2-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI in Monday's 3-1 loss to the Red Sox.
Analysis: Caglianone accounted for two of the Royals' six hits, and he drove in just his 10th run of the season with an RBI double in the bottom of the seventh inning. He now has two straight multi-hit games and is slashing .254/.322/.442 with five homers, 10 RBI, 18 runs scored and a 12:43 BB:K across 152 plate appearances this season. Caglianone has a strong batted-ball profile, as he's in the 95th percentile or better in average exit velocity (94 mph), barrel rate (17.6 percent), hard-hit rate (54.9 percent) and bat speed (76.5 mph), but the results haven't been there in a Kansas City offense that has struggled as a whole. |
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Seth Lugo Seth Lugo Takes tough-luck loss Monday
Tue, May 19, 2026, 8:24 AM
Lugo (1-4) took the loss Monday against the Red Sox, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks with five strikeouts across six innings.
Analysis: Despite logging a quality start, Lugo made a mistake pitch to Willson Contreras in the sixth inning that resulted in a two-run home run and was saddled with his fourth loss. It was still a nice bounce-back outing for the right-hander after he allowed a total of nine runs on 15 hits and six walks across nine innings in his previous two outings. Lugo owns a 3.68 ERA, career-worst 1.40 WHIP and 51:21 K:BB across 58.2 innings. His .343 BABIP against is significantly higher than his .266 mark last season. |
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Cole Ragans Cole Ragans Another bullpen on tap
Mon, May 18, 2026, 9:10 PM
Ragans (elbow) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Ragans felt strong after firing a 30-pitch bullpen Sunday, setting him up for another side session Tuesday. It remains to be seen whether the southpaw will need a rehab assignment, but either way, he appears on track to return from the injured list when first eligible or shortly after. |
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James McArthur James McArthur Will see specialist
Mon, May 18, 2026, 9:05 PM
McArthur will see a specialist after continuing to experience soreness in his right elbow, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: McArthur was sidelined for the entire 2025 season due to a right elbow injury, and while the hope was that he would return in early 2026, he had a setback in spring training and has been on the injured list since. The team could have more clarity on next steps for the right-hander after his meeting with a specialist. |
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Kris Bubic Kris Bubic Lands on IL with sore elbow
Mon, May 18, 2026, 2:20 PM
The Royals placed Bubic on the 15-day injured list Monday with left elbow soreness.
Analysis: Per Anne Rogers of MLB.com, Bubic felt more sore than normal following his last start, prompting the decision to place him on the IL. The southpaw is optimistic his absence will be brief, but he still needs to undergo imaging before more is known. Even in a best-case scenario, Bubic is likely looking at longer than a minimum stay no the IL. He's collected a 4.10 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 51:26 K:BB over 50.1 innings covering nine starts this season. |
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Eli Morgan Eli Morgan Moving up to majors
Mon, May 18, 2026, 2:19 PM
The Royals recalled Morgan from Triple-A Omaha on Monday.
Analysis: Morgan will be up with the Royals for his third stint in the majors of the season. Over seven appearances for Kansas City, the righty reliever has yielded three earned runs on eight hits and six walks over 10.1 innings. He's been even more dominant in his 11.1 innings with Omaha, submitting a spotless ERA and 0.63 WHIP while striking out 18 batters. |
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Isaac Collins Isaac Collins Registers third steal
Sun, May 17, 2026, 5:49 PM
Collins went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in Sunday's 2-0 win over the Cardinals.
Analysis: Collins picked up his first steal since May 5 versus the Guardians. He's cooled off significantly at the plate over his last 10 games, going 5-for-33 (.152) with a 5:8 BB:K and three RBI in that span. For the season, the outfielder is hitting .228 with a .685 OPS, three home runs, three steals, 15 RBI, 16 runs scored and five doubles over 153 plate appearances. |
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Salvador Perez Salvador Perez Productive in win
Sun, May 17, 2026, 5:47 PM
Perez went 2-for-2 with a solo home run, a walk and a second RBI in Sunday's 2-0 win over the Cardinals.
Analysis: Perez drove in the opening run with a first-inning sacrifice fly before adding a bit more oomph to hit a solo shot in the fourth. The catcher has two homers among seven hits over his last six games, a span in which he's batting .292 with four strikeouts. He's back above the Mendoza Line now, batting .205 with a .595 OPS, seven homers, 20 RBI, 17 runs scored and five doubles over 45 contests. |
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