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Vinnie Pasquantino Vinnie Pasquantino Not included in lineup Wednesday
Wed, Jul 29, 2026, 3:24 PM
Pasquantino (hand) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Twins.
Analysis: Pasquantino was lifted in the ninth inning of Tuesday's 3-2 loss after dealing with soreness in his right hand, the same one he had surgery on in mid-June to address a hamate fracture. Per MLB.com, the Royals planned to evaluate Pasquantino further Wednesday, but it's not yet clear if he'll need to miss more than one start. Salvador Perez will fill in for Pasquantino at first base. |
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Maikel Garcia Maikel Garcia Hitless in first rehab game
Wed, Jul 29, 2026, 12:06 PM
Garcia (hand) went 0-for-3 with Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Tuesday.
Analysis: Garcia logged five innings at third base but went hitless to begin his rehab assignment from a muscle strain in his left hand that has kept him sidelined since June 22. The 26-year-old likely won't need an extended rehab assignment before rejoining the big-league club, though it's unclear how many minor-league games he'll require before being activated from the injured list. Garcia is slated to serve as the designated hitter for Wednesday's contest, per Anne Rogers of MLB.com. He's slashing .261/.320/.373 with three homers, 30 RBI, 32 runs and five stolen bases across 69 games. |
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Nick Mears Nick Mears Starts throwing again
Wed, Jul 29, 2026, 11:37 AM
Mears (shoulder/lat) began throwing from 60 feet Monday, MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Mears has been sidelined since May 29 due to a right shoulder impingement and has dealt with multiple setbacks in his recovery, including a July 10 scan that revealed a right lat strain. Resuming throwing is a positive step, though the right-hander still has many boxes to check before a return from the injured list becomes a realistic possibility. Prior to hitting the shelf, Mears posted a 5.12 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 15:11 K:BB across 19.1 innings. |
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Bobby Witt Jr. Bobby Witt Jr. Ramping up baseball activity
Wed, Jul 29, 2026, 11:27 AM
Witt (back) has begun ramping up his baseball activity, and how he responds over the next few days will determine whether he's activated from the injured list when first eligible Friday, per MLB.com.
Analysis: Witt landed on the injured list for the first time in his big-league career July 22 due to tightness in his lower back. Early indications suggested there wasn't any cause for concern over a long-term absence, and the star shortstop remains on track to avoid a lengthy stay on the IL if he responds well to the increase in his baseball activity. In 94 games this season, Witt is slashing .279/.350/.450 with 13 homers, 39 RBI, 51 runs and 30 stolen bases. |
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Alex Lange Alex Lange Another blown save
Wed, Jul 29, 2026, 10:39 AM
Lange (1-6) blew the save and took the loss in Tuesday's 3-2 loss against the Twins. He allowed two runs on two hits and one walk while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning.
Analysis: It's the third blown save in Lange's past five appearances, and he's also surrendered 15 runs over his last nine outings. Steven Cruz has picked up two saves in the past week and seems likely to get more opportunities going forward given Lange's 6.33 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 5.1 BB/9 across 42.2 innings this year. |
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Seth Lugo Seth Lugo Fires another quality start
Wed, Jul 29, 2026, 10:34 AM
Lugo did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing one run on six hits and two walks over six innings in a 3-2 loss against Minnesota. He struck out two.
Analysis: It's the third consecutive quality start and 13th of the campaign for Lugo, who still has only four wins through 22 starts. Tuesday's victory slipped through his fingers when Royce Lewis delivered a two-run, walk-off triple in the ninth inning. The veteran right-hander certainly isn't dominant -- with his 7.0 K/9 being the lowest since his rookie year -- and is prone to blowups with five starts of at least five runs allowed, but Lugo still has respectable numbers this year with a 4.22 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 96:40 K:BB over 123.2 innings. |
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Vinnie Pasquantino Vinnie Pasquantino Battling hand soreness
Tue, Jul 28, 2026, 9:14 PM
Pasquantino was removed from Tuesday's game against the Twins with right hand soreness.
Analysis: Pasquantino's hand forced him out of Tuesday's contest in the ninth inning after he'd gone 0-for-3 with a strikeout. If his injury causes him to sit out additional games, Jac Caglianone would likely take over as Kansas City's first baseman while Tyler Tolbert mans right field. |
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Easton McGee Easton McGee Recalled from Triple-A
Tue, Jul 28, 2026, 3:30 PM
The Royals recalled McGee from Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.
Analysis: McGee made two scoreless appearances for the Brewers earlier this season before being sent to the Royals in a trade over the All-Star break. He's taking the roster spot vacated by the injured Beck Way (back). |
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Beck Way Beck Way Sidelined by back spasms
Tue, Jul 28, 2026, 3:27 PM
The Royals placed Way on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with back spasms.
Analysis: Way last pitched Friday as an opener versus the Tigers, and it seems he came out of that appearance with a back issue. His spot on the roster and in the bullpen will be taken by Easton McGee. |
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Maikel Garcia Maikel Garcia Kicking off rehab Tuesday
Mon, Jul 27, 2026, 5:24 PM
Garcia (hand) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Tuesday.
Analysis: Garcia is finally ready to test things out in a game setting after missing more than a month of action with a nagging muscle strain in his left hand. The third baseman shouldn't require too many rehab at-bats before rejoining the Royals' active roster. Nick Loftin has been serving as Kansas City's primary option at the hot corner since Garcia went down. |
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Lane Thomas Lane Thomas Clubs 10th homer in win
Mon, Jul 27, 2026, 2:24 AM
Thomas went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk in Sunday's 5-4 win over the Tigers.
Analysis: Thomas opened Sunday's contest with a leadoff homer to right field off Framber Valdez. The outfielder has belted three homers in 10 games since the All-Star break, though he's gone just 8-for-39 (.205) during that stretch. Overall, Thomas is hitting .230/.327/.400 with 10 homers, 37 RBI, 30 runs and six stolen bases across 92 contests in 2026. |
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Michael Massey Michael Massey Belts pinch-hit homer Sunday
Mon, Jul 27, 2026, 2:17 AM
Massey went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 5-4 win over Detroit.
Analysis: With southpaw Framber Valdez starting for Detroit, Massey opened Sunday's matchup on the bench before entering in the sixth inning and swatting a go-ahead, two-run homer off lefty Drew Sommers in the eighth frame. Massey has gone 12-for-32 (.375) with four extra-base hits, five RBI and six runs in 10 games since the All-Star break. In 87 total contests, he's slashing .274/.312/.440 with eight homers, 36 RBI, 36 runs and two stolen bases while operating as Kansas City's primary second baseman for most of the season. |
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Steven Cruz Steven Cruz Steps up for second save
Sun, Jul 26, 2026, 5:57 PM
Cruz secured the save Sunday against the Tigers, allowing no runs on one hit and one walk in the ninth inning. He struck out two.
Analysis: Closer Alex Lange was presumably getting Sunday off after picking up the save Saturday against Detroit, allowing Cruz to attain his second save of the season. Cruz does have his two saves for the season in his past three appearances, so he at least appears to have worked his way into Kansas City's high-leverage mix along with Lucas Erceg, Matt Strahm and Daniel Lynch. Through 37 innings, Cruz has a 4.62 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 45:17 K:BB. |
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Luinder Avila Luinder Avila Labors in no-decision
Sun, Jul 26, 2026, 5:50 PM
Avila took a no-decision Sunday against the Tigers, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits and four walks in 4.1 innings. He struck out four.
Analysis: Avila struggled for efficiency Sunday, as he was unable to complete five innings despite throwing 89 pitches (50 strikes). The 24-year-old right-hander has battled control issues all season long and particularly as of late -- he's issued at least three walks in seven of his last 10 starts and four free passes on three occasions during that span. Avila is unlikely to have much streaming appeal for his next scheduled outing in Colorado, where he'll take a 4.81 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and an alarming 59:39 K:BB over 67.1 innings. |
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Andrew Velazquez Andrew Velazquez Gaining traction in middle infield
Sun, Jul 26, 2026, 12:43 PM
Velazquez will start at second base and bat ninth in Sunday's game against the Tigers.
Analysis: Since he was called up from Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday after Bobby Witt (back) was placed on the injured list in a corresponding move, Velazquez has started in four of the Royals' ensuing five games. He'll be filling in Sunday at the keystone for Michael Massey, but Velazquez could end up being the preferred option at shortstop over Tyler Tolbert while Witt is on the mend. Velazquez has gone 1-for-9 with a stolen base through his first three contests with Kansas City. |
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Michael Massey Michael Massey Idle against southpaw
Sun, Jul 26, 2026, 12:40 PM
Massey is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers.
Analysis: After starting the Royals' previous six games, the left-handed-hitting Massey will retreat to the bench Sunday while southpaw Framber Valdez toes the rubber for the Tigers. Andrew Velazquez will check in for Massey at second base and will bat ninth. |
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Vinnie Pasquantino Vinnie Pasquantino Resting up Sunday
Sun, Jul 26, 2026, 12:39 PM
Pasquantino is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers.
Analysis: Pasquantino will be given the afternoon off after he went 8-for-21 with three runs and one RBI while starting in the Royals' previous six games. Salvador Perez will replace Pasquantino at first base and will bat third. |
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Carter Jensen Carter Jensen On bench Sunday
Sun, Jul 26, 2026, 10:53 AM
Jensen is out of the lineup for Sunday's game at Detroit.
Analysis: Jensen started the first nine games coming out of the All-Star break and will receive a breather Sunday after posting an .850 OPS with five doubles, one homer, three RBI and three runs during that span. Luke Maile will step in behind the plate for the series finale versus the Tigers while Jensen rests. |
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Daniel Lynch IV Daniel Lynch IV Picks up fourth win
Sun, Jul 26, 2026, 8:52 AM
Lynch (4-2) earned the win in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Tigers. He allowed a hit without issuing a walk or recording a strikeout over one-plus innings.
Analysis: Lynch entered in the eighth inning and worked a scoreless frame before Nick Loftin crushed a go-ahead solo homer in the top of the ninth to put the southpaw in position for the win. Lynch gave up a leadoff single to Riley Greene in the bottom of the ninth before giving way to Alex Lange, who secured the save. Across eight July appearances spanning 9.1 innings, Lynch has yet to surrender an earned run and has posted a 2-0 record. Overall, the 29-year-old has put together a quality campaign in a high-leverage role, producing a 2.08 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 34:12 K:BB across 43.1 innings. |
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Nick Loftin Nick Loftin Clubs clutch homer in win
Sun, Jul 26, 2026, 8:42 AM
Loftin went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Tigers.
Analysis: Loftin's lone hit was a critical one, as he turned on an elevated fastball from Jacob Waguespack and deposited it into the left-field stands to give the Royals a 3-2 lead in the ninth inning. The infielder has gone 8-for-29 (.276) with two extra-base hits, five RBI and three runs in nine contests since the All-Star break and is riding a modest six-game hitting streak. Overall, Loftin is slashing .250/.333/.412 with five homers, 34 RBI and 29 runs across 68 games. |
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