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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 consider 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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Alec Marsh Alec Marsh Officially placed on IL
Thu, Feb 12, 2026, 1:18 PM
The Royals placed Marsh (shoulder) on the 60-day injured list Thursday.
Analysis: Marsh missed all of 2025 due to shoulder problems, and after undergoing surgery in November to address the issue, he's expected to miss the entire 2026 campaign as well. His move to the 60-day IL clears space on the 40-man roster for Mitch Spence, whom the Royals acquired in a trade with the Athletics on Thursday. |
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Mitch Spence Mitch Spence Traded to Royals
Thu, Feb 12, 2026, 1:13 PM
The Athletics traded Spence to the Royals on Thursday in exchange for A.J. Causey.
Analysis: After being DFA'd by the A's on Tuesday, Spence will recapture a 40-man roster spot by moving to Kansas City. The 27-year-old reliever turned in a 5.10 ERA and 1.44 WHIP across 84.2 innings last season and will be in the running for a spot in the Royals' Opening Day bullpen. He has two minor-league options remaining, however, so there is a chance he opens the year at Triple-A Omaha instead. Alec Marsh (shoulder) was placed on the 60-day IL in a corresponding move. |
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Seth Lugo Seth Lugo Throwing off mound early in camp
Thu, Feb 12, 2026, 12:35 PM
Lugo (back) threw a bullpen session in Royals camp Thursday, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.
Analysis: Lugo was sidelined for the final month of last season with a nagging back injury, but he does not appear to have any restrictions at the start of spring training. The veteran right-hander collected a 2.67 ERA in the first half in 2025 but posted a 7.51 ERA in his final nine starts before getting hurt. Lugo could very well bounce back in 2026 now that he's healthy, but he's 36 and has a 21.1 percent strikeout rate since 2024, so there is risk. |
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Bailey Falter Bailey Falter No restrictions to open camp
Wed, Feb 11, 2026, 2:50 PM
Falter (biceps) threw a bullpen session Wednesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Falter spent the final five weeks of the 2025 season on the shelf due to a left biceps contusion, but he made two rehab appearances with Triple-A Omaha in late September and looks to have had a normal offseason. The veteran southpaw will likely get stretched out as a starter during spring training, but he's probably on the outside looking in for a rotation spot and could be ticketed for a long-relief role. |
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Kris Bubic Kris Bubic Wins arbitration hearing
Wed, Feb 11, 2026, 2:42 PM
Bubic (shoulder) will earn $6.15 million in 2026 after winning his arbitration hearing against the Royals on Wednesday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: The Royals had filed at $5.15 million, but the three-person arbitration panel chose the figure Bubic submitted. Bubic experienced a breakout 2025 season, posting a 2.55 ERA and 116:39 K:BB over 116.1 innings covering 20 starts before going down with a left shoulder strain. Per Anne Rogers of MLB.com, Bubic threw a bullpen session Wednesday and doesn't appear to be operating with any restrictions this spring, but the Royals will keep a close eye on him after he missed nearly the entire second half last season. |
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Luke Maile Luke Maile Not in Royals camp
Wed, Feb 11, 2026, 12:24 PM
Maile is not in Royals camp due to a personal issue, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Maile was re-signed last week to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training, but he has not reported and is no longer listed on the roster. The Royals are open to Maile rejoining the team if and when he is ready, but his status for now is in flux. |
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Luke Maile Luke Maile Back with Royals as NRI
Thu, Feb 5, 2026, 12:51 PM
The Royals re-signed Maile to a minor-league contract Thursday with an invitation to spring training.
Analysis: Maile got into 25 games with the Royals last season, posting a .702 OPS. Kansas City is expected to carry Carter Jensen on the Opening Day roster along with Salvador Perez, which likely leaves Maile to serve as experienced catching depth at Triple-A Omaha. |
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Brandon Drury Brandon Drury Gets look from Kansas City
Wed, Feb 4, 2026, 9:06 AM
Drury signed a minor-league contract Wednesday with the Royals that includes an invitation to big-league spring training.
Analysis: With parts of 10 seasons of big-league experience on his resume, Drury will be one of the more accomplished non-roster invitees in Royals camp. However, the 33-year-old infielder didn't appear in the majors at any point in 2025, and he struggled to a .214/.338/.323 slash line over 53 games across three minor-league stops in the White Sox and Angels organizations. With that in mind, Drury is likely to face an uphill battle to win a spot on the Royals' Opening Day roster. |
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Vinnie Pasquantino Vinnie Pasquantino Avoids arbitration with Royals
Fri, Jan 30, 2026, 4:50 PM
Pasquantino signed a two-year, $11 million contract with the Royals on Friday to avoid arbitration, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Incentives could increase the value of Pasquantino's new deal to as much as $16 million. The 28-year-old first baseman played in all but two games for the Royals in 2025, slashing .264/.323/.475 across 682 plate appearances while tallying career-high totals in home runs (32), RBI (113) and runs scored (72). He will still have one more year of team control remaining at the end of his contract. |
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Eli Morgan Eli Morgan Gets look from KC
Thu, Jan 29, 2026, 6:14 PM
Morgan signed a minor-league contract, which includes an invitation to spring training, with the Royals on Thursday.
Analysis: Morgan had a few strong seasons in Cleveland, but struggled with both injuries and his performance as a member of the Cubs in 2025. If he regains his past form, he could have a path to a spot in the Royals' bullpen to begin the new campaign. |
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Hector Neris Hector Neris Latches on with Kansas City
Mon, Jan 26, 2026, 6:35 PM
Neris agreed to a minor-league contract with the Royals on Monday, which includes an invitation to spring training, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Analysis: Neris will receive an opportunity to make a big-league roster after putting pen to paper on a deal with Kansas City. He bounced between three teams a season ago, posting a 6.75 ERA and 1.69 WHIP with a 35:16 K:BB and a pair of blown saves across 26.2 innings. |
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Nick Mears Nick Mears Nabs $1.9 million from Royals
Thu, Jan 8, 2026, 4:44 PM
Mears agreed to a one-year, $1.9 million contract with the Royals on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Mears was traded from Milwaukee to Kansas City in December following his best season in the majors, during which he logged a 3.49 ERA and 0.97 WHIP over 56.2 innings. The 29-year-old will now receive a $937,000 raise from his new club and is expected to begin the new year as a middle reliever for the Royals. |
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