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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 Witt made enough progress in his recovery from a Grade 1 MCL sprain to go through pregame work Monday and Tuesday, he'll remain out of the starting nine for a fifth consecutive game while he continues to receive maintenance for his right knee. Tyler Tolbert will fill in at shortstop in place of Witt, whom the Royals still appear to be viewing as day-to-day. |
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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 be in line to begin a rehab assignment in the near future. |
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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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Josh Rojas Josh Rojas Back in majors
Tue, Jun 23, 2026, 12:58 PM
The Royals recalled Rojas from Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.
Analysis: The 31-year-old was up with the Royals for a few days in early June and will now get another chance in the majors since Maikel Garcia (hand) was placed on the injured list. Nick Loftin has been operating as Kansas City's primary third baseman with Garcia banged up, while Rojas is likely to fill a utility role while up in the majors. |
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Maikel Garcia Maikel Garcia Out with hand injury
Tue, Jun 23, 2026, 12:45 PM
The Royals placed Garcia on the 10-day injured list Tuesday due to a left hand muscle strain.
Analysis: The 26-year-old returned to the lineup the past two days after missing three games due to left hand soreness, but he apparently aggravated the injury and will now require a stint on the injured list. Garcia will be eligible to be reinstated in early July, though it's unclear how long he's expected to be sidelined. Nick Loftin has started the past five games at the hot corner -- Garcia filled in for Bobby Witt (knee) at shortstop Sunday and Monday -- and should continue to operate as Kansas City's primary third baseman while Garcia is on the shelf. |
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Alex Lange Alex Lange Slams door for sixth save
Mon, Jun 22, 2026, 9:00 PM
Lange secured the save Monday against the Rays, throwing a clean ninth inning. He struck out one.
Analysis: Since taking over as Kansas City's primary closer, Lange been very effective on the mound. The 30-year-old right-hander has successfully converted each of his last six save opportunities, giving up just two earned runs across 10 innings during the month of June so far. With Lucas Erceg being unreliable and Carlos Estevez (shoulder) still on the shelf, Lange is solidifying his hold as the club's favorite for saves. |
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Michael Wacha Michael Wacha Seven strong innings in fifth win
Mon, Jun 22, 2026, 8:55 PM
Wacha (5-5) notched the win Monday against Tampa Bay, allowing one run on six hits and one walk in seven innings. He struck out five.
Analysis: Wacha continues to give the Royals plenty of length, tossing at least six frames in three consecutive starts and eight of his last 10. The 34-year-old right-hander has also pitched at least five innings in all of his 15 outings this year, racking up 11 quality starts already. Wacha will try to further improve on a steady 3.48 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 77:29 K:BB over a league-high 101 innings in his next scheduled outing on the road against the division-rival White Sox. |
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Bobby Witt Jr. Bobby Witt Jr. Works out, still hopes to avoid IL
Mon, Jun 22, 2026, 3:45 PM
Royals manager Matt Quatraro said that Witt (knee) hit in the batting cage, fielded grounders and ran the bases pregame prior to Monday's contest against the Rays, Brian Murphy of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Quatraro referred to Witt's workout as "very encouraging," adding that he's hopeful the star shortstop will be available to play "in the next couple of days." Witt is missing a third straight start Monday against the Rays, but optimism remains that he will be able to avoid a stint on the 10-day injured list. |
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John Rave John Rave Gaining traction in outfield
Mon, Jun 22, 2026, 1:54 PM
Rave will start in right field and bat seventh in Monday's game against the Rays.
Analysis: Rave will crack the lineup for the third time in four matchups versus right-handed pitchers and appears to be getting prioritized over fellow left-handed hitter Kameron Misner for the final opening in the Kansas City outfield. Since being promoted from Triple-A Omaha on June 14, Rave has gone 3-for-7 with three extra-base hits, three walks, two RBI and three runs over four games, earning himself some more opportunities in the process. |
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Nick Loftin Nick Loftin Awarded seventh straight start
Mon, Jun 22, 2026, 1:50 PM
Loftin will start at third base and bat eighth in Monday's game against the Rays.
Analysis: Loftin will remain in the lineup for a seventh straight game after going 7-for-22 with one home run, four doubles, three walks, four RBI and two runs across the prior six contests. He's been the main beneficiary of Maikel Garcia (hand) and Bobby Witt (knee) both having missed time over the past week, but Loftin's opportunities could dry up if Witt avoids a stint on the injured list. Garcia already seems to be past his hand injury, as he'll cover shortstop Monday in place of Witt for a second straight game. |
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Kameron Misner Kameron Misner Passed over for start vs. RHP
Mon, Jun 22, 2026, 1:46 PM
Misner is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Rays.
Analysis: The left-handed-hitting Misner will be on the bench for the third time in the Royals' last four matchups with right-handed starting pitchers. Since being called up from Triple-A Omaha on June 10, Misner has held his own at the plate with a .350/.381/.350 slash line over 22 plate appearances, but it hasn't been enough for him to gain a foothold in the everyday lineup. The Royals seem to be prioritizing Lane Thomas and John Rave over Misner in the outfield in the wake of Kyle Isbel (foot) and Vinnie Pasquantino (hand) recently landing on the injured list. |
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Bobby Witt Jr. Bobby Witt Jr. Remaining sidelined Monday
Mon, Jun 22, 2026, 1:37 PM
Witt (knee) remains out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Rays.
Analysis: Witt hasn't played since exiting last Thursday's contest against the Cardinals due to a Grade 1 MCL sprain in his right knee. The Royals have seemed optimistic to this point that Witt could avoid a stint on the injured list, but the time to make a decision one way or another is likely coming soon. Maikel Garcia will shift over to shortstop again Monday, while Nick Loftin will grab the start at third base. |
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Nick Mears Nick Mears Dealing with setback
Mon, Jun 22, 2026, 11:47 AM
Mears (shoulder) was tracking toward a rehab assignment but experienced soreness after his bullpen session Tuesday, MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Mears appeared to be progressing well in rehab from a right shoulder impingement, but he came out of Tuesday's bullpen session with the same soreness and pinching feeling that landed him on the injured list. The right-hander underwent further evaluation Thursday, and while an updated outlook remains undisclosed, the setback has almost certainly pushed back his timeline for both a rehab assignment and return to the big leagues. Before hitting the shelf May 29, Mears posted a 5.12 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 15:11 K:BB across 19.1 innings. |
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