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Connor Seabold Connor Seabold Placed on IL with strained lat
Wed, Jul 1, 2026, 2:59 PM
The Royals placed Seabold on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a right lat strain.
Analysis: Seabold had to be pulled from an appearance Tuesday against the Rays because of the injury. The severity of the strain is unclear, but even a mild one could result in longer than a minimum 15-day absence. Seabold has pitched for three different teams this season, collecting a 5.25 ERA and 20:11 K:BB across 24 frames. |
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Eric Cerantola Eric Cerantola Sent back to minors
Wed, Jul 1, 2026, 2:55 PM
The Royals optioned Cerantola to Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday.
Analysis: Cerantola had a disastrous outing Tuesday versus the Rays, walking six of the nine batters he faced while surrendering a pair of runs. He'll head back to Omaha as the Royals replace him with a fresh bullpen arm. |
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Randy Dobnak Randy Dobnak Moves up to big leagues
Wed, Jul 1, 2026, 2:55 PM
The Royals recalled Dobnak from Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday.
Analysis: Dobnak had previously seen big-league action with the Twins over parts of five seasons from 2019 through 2025, but he'll be making his Royals debut once he gets into a game. The 31-year-old righty opened the season in the rotation at Triple-A Tacoma in the Mariners organization before being traded June 17 to the Royals, who immediately added him to their 40-man roster. Over 80.2 innings at the Triple-A level this season, Dobnak has produced a 4.35 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 49:25 K:BB. The right-hander looks set to initially work out of the bullpen for Kansas City, though he could be a candidate to start Thursday versus the Rays if Stephen Kolek (personal) isn't activated from the bereavement list in advance of that game. |
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Jose Cuas Jose Cuas Contract selected
Wed, Jul 1, 2026, 2:50 PM
The Royals selected Cuas' contract from Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday.
Analysis: Cuas holds a 3.31 ERA and 33:19 K:BB over 32.2 innings this season at Omaha. The 32-year-old hasn't pitched in the majors since 2024 and will be used in low-leverage situations in the Kansas City bullpen. |
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Isaac Collins Isaac Collins Left out of lineup
Wed, Jul 1, 2026, 2:48 PM
Collins is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays.
Analysis: The Royals will go with Tyler Tolbert in left field while Collins retreats to the bench as the Rays send southpaw Shane McClanahan to the bump. A switch-hitter, Collins has been far more effective against righties (.339 wOBA, 116 wRC+) than lefties (.299 wOBA, 89 wRC+) over parts of three big-league seasons. |
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Kris Bubic Kris Bubic Shifts to 60-day IL
Wed, Jul 1, 2026, 2:42 PM
The Royals transferred Bubic (elbow/shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday.
Analysis: Earlier Wednesday, Royals senior vice president Scott Sharp revealed that Bubic hit another snag in his recovery from left elbow soreness and left shoulder discomfort, though the team won't have more specifics available until the southpaw is re-evaluated in Kansas City. Since Bubic's initial placement on the IL was retroactive to May 15 and he wasn't on track to rejoin Kansas City rotation until after the All-Star break anyway, his move to the 60-day IL won't have any bearing on his timeline for a return. The transaction will temporarily bump Bubic from the 40-man roster in order to open up a spot for right-hander Jose Cuas, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Omaha. |
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Kyle Isbel Kyle Isbel Targeting rehab stint before ASB
Wed, Jul 1, 2026, 11:55 AM
Isbel (foot) will continue his rehab in Arizona to begin July with the hope of embarking on a rehab assignment before the All-Star break, MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Isbel was diagnosed with a Grade 3 tear of a portion of his left plantar fascia after being placed on the injured list June 10. The center fielder is now targeting a rehab assignment before the All-Star break after beginning to swing June 17, which would represent a relatively quick return to game action given the severity of his injury. Before being sidelined, Isbel slashed .244/.298/.354 with three homers, 11 RBI, 16 runs and five stolen bases across 56 appearances. |
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Vinnie Pasquantino Vinnie Pasquantino Eyeing rehab assignment before ASB
Wed, Jul 1, 2026, 11:42 AM
Pasquantino (hand) will continue his rehab in Arizona to begin July with the hope of embarking on a rehab assignment before the All-Star break, MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Pasquantino hit the injured list June 14 and underwent surgery to remove a fractured hamate bone in his right hand, with an initial recovery timeline of four to six weeks. Based on that timetable and recent indications, the first baseman isn't expected to rejoin the Royals before the All-Star break, though a minor-league rehab assignment before the break seems to be the tentative plan. This season, Pasquantino is hitting .224/.309/.350 with six homers, 32 RBI, 28 runs and three stolen bases across 68 appearances. |
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Carter Jensen Carter Jensen Extends hitting streak to 20 games
Wed, Jul 1, 2026, 11:23 AM
Jensen went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 10-4 loss to the Rays.
Analysis: Jensen jumped on the first pitch he saw from the leadoff spot, sending it over the right-field fence to give the Royals an early 1-0 lead. The homer extended the catcher's hitting streak to 20 games, the longest active streak in the majors. During the streak, the 22-year-old is slashing .346/.382/.630 with five homers, eight doubles, 18 RBI and 16 runs scored. Overall, Jensen is hitting .251/.316/.446 with 12 homers, 17 doubles, 46 RBI and 40 runs scored across 79 contests this season. |
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Kris Bubic Kris Bubic Scratched from rehab start
Wed, Jul 1, 2026, 10:27 AM
Royals senior vice president Scott Sharp said Wednesday on Sports Radio 810 WHB that Bubic (elbow/shoulder) has been scratched from his next scheduled rehab start and will return to Kansas City for further evaluation.
Analysis: Bubic initially went on the 15-day injured list in mid-May due to left elbow soreness and encountered a setback in mid-June when he experienced left shoulder discomfort. He had an MRI after that first setback which cleared him of structural damage in his elbow and shoulder. It's unclear at this point whether this setback is related to the southpaw's elbow or shoulder (or both), but more information on Bubic should be available later this week. The southpaw went two scoreless frames in his last rehab start this past weekend. |
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Bobby Witt Jr. Bobby Witt Jr. Homers twice in loss
Wed, Jul 1, 2026, 2:59 AM
Witt went 3-for-4 with two home runs and three RBI in Tuesday's 10-4 loss to the Rays.
Analysis: Witt did everything he could to keep Kansas City in the game, launching a two-run homer off Griffin Jax in the third inning before adding a solo shot in the eighth to trim Tampa Bay's sizable lead. Since returning to the lineup from an MCL sprain, the star shortstop is batting .286 (4-for-14) across four games. |
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Connor Seabold Connor Seabold Exits with lat tightness
Tue, Jun 30, 2026, 8:42 PM
Seabold was removed from Tuesday's game against the Rays with right lat tightness.
Analysis: Seabold injured himself after attempting to pick off a runner at first base in the fifth inning. It's unknown whether his injury will cause him to spend time on the injured list, but the Royals may refrain from using him out of the bullpen for at least a day or two while he recovers. |
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Nick Loftin Nick Loftin Checking back into lineup
Tue, Jun 30, 2026, 4:17 PM
Loftin (groin) will start at third base and bat eighth in Sunday's game against the Rays.
Analysis: After sustaining a groin bruise late in Saturday's 2-1 loss to the White Sox, Loftin ended up sitting out Sunday's series finale. The game off plus Monday's team off day appears to have provided sufficient recovery time for Loftin, who will step back in at third base, where he's been serving as the Royals' primary starter since Maikel Garcia (hand) landed on the injured list. After producing a 1.006 OPS through his first 17 games of June, Loftin went hitless in 14 at-bats over his last four starts before exiting the lineup Sunday. |
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Stephen Kolek Stephen Kolek Shifts to family emergency list
Tue, Jun 30, 2026, 3:59 PM
The Royals transferred Kolek (personal) from the paternity list to the family medical emergency list Tuesday.
Analysis: The right-hander was scratched from his start Friday against the White Sox in order to be placed on the paternity list, and this transaction will allow him to spend more time away from the team. It's unclear if Kolek is expected to be back with the Royals for his next turn through the rotation, which lined up for Thursday versus Tampa Bay. |
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Jac Caglianone Jac Caglianone Returning to Kansas City lineup
Tue, Jun 30, 2026, 2:55 PM
Caglianone (groin) will start at designated hitter and bat third in Tuesday's game versus the Rays.
Analysis: Caglianone had to be scratched from Sunday's lineup due to left groin soreness, but he's feeling well enough to give it a go in Tuesday's series opener following the Royals' team off day Monday. The 23-year-old enters play Tuesday having gone just 1-for-15 with eight strikeouts over his last four contests. |
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Carlos Estevez Carlos Estevez Suffers potential setback
Mon, Jun 29, 2026, 11:22 AM
Estevez (shoulder) didn't feel great after throwing a bullpen Saturday and will be re-evaluated in the coming days, MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Estevez had been making progress in his recovery from a right rotator cuff strain, but this marks another potential setback for the right-hander, who has been sidelined since March 29, originally due to a left foot contusion. More clarity on the 33-year-old's outlook will likely come following his pending re-evaluation. With Estevez sidelined for all but one appearance in 2026, Lucas Erceg stepped in as the closer and recorded 12 saves before being removed from the role due to poor performance in favor of Alex Lange, who has converted all seven of his save opportunities in June. |
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Nick Mears Nick Mears Back to throwing bullpens
Mon, Jun 29, 2026, 11:08 AM
Mears (shoulder) threw a bullpen Saturday, MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Mears has been on the injured list since May 29 due to a right shoulder impingement, with his progression halted June 16 after a bullpen session reignited the same soreness and pinching feeling that initially landed him on the shelf. The right-hander is now getting back on track in rehab and came out of Saturday's session feeling good, according to Royals manager Matt Quatraro. Provided no further setbacks ensue, Mears is likely to embark on a rehab assignment in the near future before returning to the big-league club. On the year, he owns a 5.12 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 15:11 K:BB across 19.1 innings. |
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Lane Thomas Lane Thomas Productive in Sunday's win
Mon, Jun 29, 2026, 10:52 AM
Thomas went 2-for-5 with an RBI, a run scored and a steal in Sunday's 5-4 victory over the White Sox.
Analysis: Thomas was penciled into the leadoff spot with left-hander Anthony Kay on the mound for the White Sox and made an immediate impact, leading off the first inning with a single before stealing second base and scoring on a Carter Jensen hit. Thomas also came through in his second at-bat, lining a slider into left field for an RBI single in the second inning. On the year, the outfielder is slashing .216/.329/.335 with five homers, 23 RBI, 20 runs and four stolen bases across 70 appearances. With Kyle Isbel (foot) sidelined, Thomas has shifted into a regular role in center field for the Royals. |
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Carter Jensen Carter Jensen Trio of hits in win
Mon, Jun 29, 2026, 10:42 AM
Jensen went 3-for-5 with a double and two RBI in Sunday's 5-4 victory over the White Sox.
Analysis: Jensen extended his hitting streak to 19 games, doing so with a game-high three hits and a pair of RBI. The young catcher has turned it on in June, slashing .292/.333/.510 with four homers, nine doubles, 19 RBI and 17 runs scored across 24 appearances this month. The surge has significantly boosted Jensen's season line to .251/.317/.438 with 11 homers, 17 doubles, 45 RBI and 39 runs scored across 78 games. |
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Alex Lange Alex Lange Grabs seventh save
Sun, Jun 28, 2026, 8:13 PM
Lange earned the save Sunday against the White Sox, retiring the side in order in the ninth inning of a 5-4 win.
Analysis: Lange was called upon to protect a one-run lead and needed just 10 pitches to retire Chicago in order, locking down his seventh save of the season. It was an encouraging bounce-back after he was tagged for five runs while recording just one out in his previous appearance. Despite the uneven results recently, Lange appears to have a firm grip on Kansas City's primary closer role. He now owns a 4.95 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 37:21 K:BB across 36.1 innings. |
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