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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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Salvador Perez Salvador Perez New Royals home run leader
Sat, Jul 25, 2026, 6:37 PM
Perez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Tigers.
Analysis: With his seventh-inning shot off Kyle Finnegan, Perez became the Royals' all-time career home run leader, passing the mark of 317 set by Hall of Famer George Brett in 1993. The long ball was Perez's 15th of the season, including four in nine games since the All-Star break, but on the year the 36-year-old backstop sports a .624 OPS that would be the lowest of his career. |
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Alex Lange Alex Lange Notches save No. 10
Sat, Jul 25, 2026, 6:25 PM
Lange gave up a hit and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his 10th save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Tigers.
Analysis: The 30-year-old right-hander has had a rough July, getting tagged for eight earned runs in 5.2 innings across six appearances to leave him with a bloated 6.00 ERA on the season, but Lange continues to hold down the fort as the Royals' closer. Carlos Estevez (shoulder) remains without a clear timeline for his return, but with Kansas City likely to be sellers at the trade deadline, the biggest threat to Lange's save total might be the chance he gets dealt to a contender and lands in a lower-leverage role. |
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Michael Wacha Michael Wacha Settles for no-decision Saturday
Sat, Jul 25, 2026, 6:17 PM
Wacha didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Tigers, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over seven innings. He struck out three.
Analysis: The veteran right-hander tossed 96 pitches (66 strikes) en route to his 14th quality start of the season, but Wacha left the mound with the score tied 2-2 and missed out on his sixth win. Wacha has worked at least six innings in seven of his last eight outings dating back to June 11, posting a 3.86 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 37:12 K:BB over 51.1 innings during that stretch. He'll look for his first win since June 22 in his next start, which lines up to come on the road next weekend in Colorado. |
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Jac Caglianone Jac Caglianone Back in action Saturday
Sat, Jul 25, 2026, 9:06 AM
Caglianone (shoulder) will start in right field and bat third Saturday against Detroit.
Analysis: Caglianone missed out on the starting lineup in each of Kansas City's last three games due to a sore right shoulder, though he was able to enter Friday's game off the bench. Now that the issue appears to have subsided, he'll return to the starting nine and look to remain hot after having accumulated a 10-game hitting streak earlier this month. |
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Noah Cameron Noah Cameron Dazzles in matchup with Skubal
Sat, Jul 25, 2026, 8:55 AM
Cameron didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 2-1 loss to the Tigers, allowing two hits and three walks over seven scoreless innings of relief. He struck out eight.
Analysis: Cameron rose to the occasion in a duel with two-time AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, but unfortunately for the Royals, Beck Way gave up two runs in the first inning as the opener. Cameron tossed 58 of 97 pitches for strikes as he fanned at least seven batters for the third time in four July outings, but it's been a bumpy month for the 27-year-old southpaw despite his 25:12 K:BB over 24 innings, as he has a 4.88 ERA and 1.42 WHIP in that span even after Friday's performance. Cameron will look to build on this effort in his next trip to the mound, which is scheduled to come on the road next week in Minnesota. |
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Kris Bubic Kris Bubic Starts throwing progression
Sat, Jul 25, 2026, 8:52 AM
Bubic (elbow/shoulder) began a throwing progression Friday with 30 throws from 45-to-60 feet, MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Bubic had been shut down from throwing since the beginning of July due to shoulder soreness, which cropped up while he was rehabbing from left elbow soreness that landed him on the injured list May 18. Resuming a throwing program is a positive sign, though the southpaw still has many hurdles to clear before returning to game action at the big-league level. Before hitting the shelf, Bubic posted a 3-2 record with a 4.11 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 51:26 K:BB across 50.1 innings (nine starts). |
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Eli Morgan Eli Morgan Optioned to Omaha
Fri, Jul 24, 2026, 2:11 PM
The Royals optioned Morgan to Triple-A Omaha on Friday.
Analysis: Morgan will make his way back to Triple-A after spending two weeks with the big-league club. The 30-year-old made just two appearances since being recalled July 10 with Kansas City. The Royals demoted Morgan to make room for Nate Pearson on the active roster. |
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Isaac Collins Isaac Collins Blasts sixth home run
Fri, Jul 24, 2026, 3:18 AM
Collins went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and a walk in Thursday's 4-3 loss to the Tigers.
Analysis: Collins broke a scoreless tie in the sixth inning by taking Troy Melton deep for his sixth long ball of the season. The outfielder hasn't gone consecutive contests without a hit since June 9 and is batting .297 over that 35-game stretch. On the season, Collins is slashing .245/.346/.372 with 17 doubles, one triple, 34 RBI, 37 runs scored and six stolen bases across 93 games. |
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Randy Dobnak Randy Dobnak Fires five scoreless innings
Fri, Jul 24, 2026, 2:41 AM
Dobnak did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Tigers, allowing four hits and one walk while striking out three over five scoreless innings.
Analysis: Dobnak delivered another effective outing, throwing 50 of 76 pitches for strikes while limiting Detroit to just six hard-hit balls. He generated 10 whiffs on 34 swings despite finishing with only three strikeouts. The veteran right-hander has allowed one run over his last 15 innings and owns a 1.42 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 10:9 K:BB across four appearances since being recalled July 1. With Stephen Kolek (forearm) having been transferred to the 60-day injured list, Dobnak appears to have a clear path to remaining a part of the rotation. |
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Noah Cameron Noah Cameron Expected to pitch after opener
Thu, Jul 23, 2026, 10:05 PM
Cameron will not start Friday's contest, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.
Analysis: Cameron is expected to pitch after opener Beck Way during Friday's matchup, though it is unclear if he will immediately follow Way. Cameron has started all 19 of his appearances with Kansas City this season, but he has struggled to a 7.97 ERA and 1.97 WHIP over his last seven outings, and the team may be trying to shake things up to get the southpaw back on track. |
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