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Mitch Spence Mitch Spence Recalled from Triple-A
Fri, Jun 26, 2026, 1:29 PM
The Royals recalled Spence from Triple-A Omaha on Friday.
Analysis: With Stephen Kolek going on paternity leave and missing his scheduled start Friday against the White Sox, Spence will give the Royals' bullpen some length behind opener Steven Cruz. Spence has appeared in two games for Kansas City this season, allowing 12 runs on 11 hits and six walks with just four strikeouts across eight innings. He's operated as a starter with Omaha. |
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Steven Cruz Steven Cruz Drawing opener assignment Friday
Fri, Jun 26, 2026, 1:24 PM
Cruz is listed as the Royals' opener for Friday's game against the White Sox.
Analysis: Kansas City has an opening in its rotation Friday with Stephen Kolek (personal) away from the team while he awaits the birth of his child, so Cruz will step in to make his first MLB start since 2023. The 27-year-old right-hander hasn't recorded more than six outs in any appearance this season and will be pitching on just two days' rest, so he's unlikely to last even once through the batting order. The Royals called up Mitch Spence from Triple-A Omaha on Friday, and he'll presumably be tasked with covering multiple innings in bulk relief. |
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Kris Bubic Kris Bubic Logs scoreless frame in rehab start
Fri, Jun 26, 2026, 9:41 AM
Bubic (elbow) threw a perfect inning while striking out one in Wednesday's rehab start with Triple-A Omaha.
Analysis: Bubic is recovering from left elbow soreness, but his initial rehab assignment was halted June 9 due to shoulder discomfort. The southpaw threw six of eight pitches for strikes Wednesday before departing. Per MLB.com, Bubic is scheduled to throw two innings with Triple-A Omaha on Saturday as he continues to build up. If the 28-year-old avoids any further setbacks, a return to the Kansas City rotation before the All-Star break might be possible. |
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Seth Lugo Seth Lugo Hit hard in loss
Thu, Jun 25, 2026, 1:53 PM
Lugo (3-5) took the loss Thursday against the Rays, allowing seven runs on seven hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out three.
Analysis: Lugo fell victim to the long ball Thursday, with six of the seven runs charged to the right-hander coming on three homers (including two off the bat of Junior Caminero). Lugo's ERA is now up to 4.18 through 16 starts (90.1 innings) this season with a 1.37 WHIP and 69:30 K:BB. He'll look to rebound his next time out, currently scheduled to come next week at home in a rematch with the Rays. |
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Bobby Witt Jr. Bobby Witt Jr. Tracking toward return Friday
Thu, Jun 25, 2026, 10:11 AM
Royals manager Matt Quatraro indicated Thursday that Witt (knee) is on track to return to the lineup Friday versus the White Sox, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.
Analysis: Witt is missing a sixth straight start Thursday against the Rays as he overcomes a Grade 1 MCL sprain of his right knee. However, he went through a full pregame workout Wednesday and bounced back well Thursday. Witt should be available off the bench Thursday before returning to the lineup Friday, barring a setback. |
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Stephen Kolek Stephen Kolek Going on paternity list
Thu, Jun 25, 2026, 9:57 AM
Kolek won't be available to make his scheduled start Friday against the White Sox and is expected to be placed on the paternity list prior to the contest, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.
Analysis: Once he's officially placed on the list, Kolek will be away from the club for the next 1-to-3 days, by rule. He could rejoin the team this weekend to make a start against the White Sox, though the Royals might also opt to just skip the right-hander's turn through the rotation. Kolek is coming off his worst start of the season, having allowed nine runs over 1.2 innings in a loss to the Cardinals last Sunday. |
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Michael Massey Michael Massey Not in Thursday's lineup
Thu, Jun 25, 2026, 8:53 AM
Massey is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rays.
Analysis: The Rays have a right-handed opener (Casey Legumina) followed by a left-handed bulk reliever (Ian Seymour) going in the series finale, so the left-handed-swinging Massey will take a seat. Josh Rojas is at second base and will bat fifth for the Royals. |
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Bobby Witt Jr. Bobby Witt Jr. Out of lineup again Thursday
Thu, Jun 25, 2026, 8:44 AM
Witt (knee) remains out of the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Rays.
Analysis: Witt will miss a sixth consecutive start as he deals with a Grade 1 MCL sprain of his right knee. He has been available off the bench the last couple days, so Witt does appear likely to avoid a trip to the injured list. His next opportunity to return to the Royals' lineup will come Friday in Chicago against the division-leading White Sox. |
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Noah Cameron Noah Cameron Falls to Tampa Bay
Wed, Jun 24, 2026, 8:57 PM
Cameron (4-5) took the loss Wednesday against the Rays, allowing five runs on eight hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out five.
Analysis: It was a tough night for Cameron, who gave up three runs in the third inning and another two in the fourth. The left-hander has now given up 12 earned runs over 14.1 innings in his last three starts after posting a 1.13 ERA across 24 innings in his previous four outings. Cameron will look to turn things around in his next start, currently scheduled as a rematch with the Rays at home next week. |
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Lane Thomas Lane Thomas Given evening off
Wed, Jun 24, 2026, 4:25 PM
Thomas is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays.
Analysis: Thomas will head to the bench for the first time since June 12, ending a streak of 10 starts during which he produced a .220/.289/.512 slash line with three home runs, seven RBI and seven runs. The Royals should have a near-everyday role available in the outfield for Thomas while the team currently has three lineup regulars (Maikel Garcia, Vinnie Pasquantino and Kyle Isbel) on the injured list. |
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Bobby Witt Jr. Bobby Witt Jr. Missing out on fifth straight start
Wed, Jun 24, 2026, 2:08 PM
Witt (knee) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays.
Analysis: Though he's out of the starting nine for a fifth consecutive game while he tends to a Grade 1 MCL sprain, Witt noted that his right knee is feeling better with each passing day, per Brian Murphy of MLB.com. For the third day in a row, Witt said that he will field groundballs and hit in the batting cage prior to the game, and he expects to be available off the bench if he's needed. The Royals will likely re-evaluate Witt on Thursday before determining if he's ready to return to the lineup for the series finale in Tampa Bay, but even if he requires another day off, the two-time All-Star looks poised to avoid a stint on the injured list. |
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Carlos Estevez Carlos Estevez Logging bullpen sessions
Wed, Jun 24, 2026, 12:30 PM
Estevez (shoulder) threw a bullpen Sunday and is scheduled to throw another Wednesday, MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Estevez has been on the injured list since April 1, originally due to a left foot contusion before suffering a right rotator cuff strain during a rehab assignment May 6. The veteran has steadily progressed in his recovery, and the move to bullpen sessions represents a positive step forward. If the right-hander comes out of Wednesday's session without any issues, he could quickly progress to facing live hitters. |
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Nick Mears Nick Mears Playing catch again
Wed, Jun 24, 2026, 12:18 PM
Mears (shoulder) received an injection and began playing catch again Monday, MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Mears threw a bullpen June 16 and was on the right track in his recovery from a right shoulder impingement, but the 29-year-old came out of the session dealing with the same soreness and pinching feeling that landed him on the shelf in the first place. After receiving an injection in his shoulder, the right-hander is back to throwing and will look to build up in rehab without any further setbacks. Before being placed on the injured list May 29, Mears posted a 5.12 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 15:11 K:BB across 19.1 innings. |
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Kris Bubic Kris Bubic Resuming rehab assignment Wednesday
Wed, Jun 24, 2026, 9:33 AM
Bubic (elbow) is slated to make a rehab start Wednesday with Double-A Northwest Arkansas.
Analysis: After landing on the injured list May 18 due to left elbow soreness, Bubic was cleared to kick off a rehab assignment at Triple-A Omaha on June 9. The left-hander was lit up for six runs (five earned) while recording just four outs in his lone outing with Omaha before being pulled off the assignment after experiencing shoulder discomfort. An MRI cleared Bubic of any major concerns with the shoulder, so he didn't have to pause his throwing program for more than a few days. Bubic made it through a two-inning live bullpen session over the weekend without issue and will now resume the rehab assignment, this time linking up with the Royals' Double-A affiliate. He'll likely need at least one more start in the minors beyond Wednesday to get fully ramped up, but Bubic would appear to have a shot at rejoining the Kansas City rotation before the All-Star break. |
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Nick Loftin Nick Loftin Career night in win
Tue, Jun 23, 2026, 9:06 PM
Loftin went 4-for-5 with a home run, two RBI and four runs scored in Tuesday's 12-5 win over the Rays.
Analysis: Loftin opened the scoring with a solo blast in the first inning to jump-start a performance in which he tallied four hits and scored four runs, both single-game career highs. The 27-year-old has taken advantage of a recent uptick in playing time, hitting safely in six of his past eight contests and tallying four multi-hit efforts, six extra-base hits and six RBI during that stretch. On the year, he's slashing .264/.358/.448 with three homers, 24 RBI, 21 runs scored and a stolen base across 149 plate appearances. |
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Jac Caglianone Jac Caglianone Two more homers in rout
Tue, Jun 23, 2026, 8:54 PM
Caglianone went 3-for-5 with two home runs, three RBI and an additional run scored in Tuesday's 12-5 win over the Rays.
Analysis: Caglianone launched a solo homer in the first inning before adding a two-run shot in the fifth, notching his second multi-homer effort in three games and third overall in June. The 23-year-old has now gone deep six times over his past five games, driving in 10 runs during that stretch. On the season, he's slashing .277/.349/.498 with 14 long balls, 30 RBI, 38 runs scored and three steals across 281 plate appearances. |
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Luinder Avila Luinder Avila Strikes out six in win
Tue, Jun 23, 2026, 8:48 PM
Avila (3-3) earned the win against the Rays on Tuesday, allowing one run on three hits and four walks with six strikeouts over five innings.
Analysis: Avila allowed a run in the first inning before settling in with four scoreless frames, recording a season-high six strikeouts while also issuing four walks for the second time this year. Since joining the rotation June 1, Avila has yielded exactly one earned run in four of five starts, with an eight-run blowup inflating his 5.06 ERA for the month. He'll take a 5.06 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 39:27 K:BB across 42.2 innings this season into a road matchup with the White Sox this weekend. |
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Cole Ragans Cole Ragans Likely needs elbow procedure
Tue, Jun 23, 2026, 3:58 PM
Manager Matt Quatraro said Tuesday that Ragans (elbow) will likely need some type of elbow surgery, but the specific procedure and potential recovery timeline remain unclear as the left-hander is scheduled to visit another doctor soon, Brian Murphy of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: The 28-year-old has been on the shelf due to an elbow impingement since early May and was transferred to the 60-day IL last week after suffering a setback. Ragans can safely be ruled out for the near future, and his availability for the rest of the season is also in question as he continues to be evaluated. |
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Isaac Collins Isaac Collins Out of Tuesday's lineup
Tue, Jun 23, 2026, 2:08 PM
Collins is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rays.
Analysis: Collins will receive a routine day of rest after starting each of the Royals' previous five tilts. Kameron Misner is covering left field and will bat ninth Tuesday. |
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Bobby Witt Jr. Bobby Witt Jr. Remaining out of lineup
Tue, Jun 23, 2026, 2:07 PM
Witt (knee) remains out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rays.
Analysis: Witt went through a full pregame workout Monday and the Royals remain optimistic he can avoid the injured list, but he will miss a fourth straight start with a Grade 1 MCL sprain in his right knee. According to Brian Murphy of MLB.com, manager Matt Quatraro expects the start shortstop to be available off the bench Tuesday. Tyler Tolbert is handling shortstop for Kansas City on Tuesday. |
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