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Vinnie Pasquantino Vinnie Pasquantino Available off bench
Thu, Apr 30, 2026, 12:59 PM
Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Thursday that Pasquantino (back) is "better today" and will again be available off the bench against the Athletics, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Pasquantino is missing a second straight start due to low-back tightness, an injury that been nagging at him for a bit. However, he was on deck to pinch hit Wednesday and will be available in the same capacity Thursday. Pasquantino has a good chance of returning to the lineup Friday in Seattle. |
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Bailey Falter Bailey Falter Scoreless fifth rehab outing
Thu, Apr 30, 2026, 12:47 PM
Falter (elbow) allowed no hits or walks with two strikeouts across 1.1 scoreless innings with Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday.
Analysis: Falter logged his fifth rehab appearance with Triple-A Omaha as he works back from left elbow inflammation. The outing was arguably his best of the assignment, as the southpaw didn't allow a baserunner, though it also marked his first appearance since April 15 (his initial rehab outing) in which he logged fewer than two innings. Across 8.2 innings at Triple-A, the 28-year-old owns a 3.12 ERA and 0.92 WHIP with a stellar 12:1 K:BB. Falter struggled in two relief appearances with Kansas City prior to landing on the injured list, allowing five runs on eight hits and two walks across 3.1 innings with four strikeouts. The veteran is likely to be activated in the near future, with a multi-inning role out of the bullpen his likely role upon reinstatement. |
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Stephen Kolek Stephen Kolek Completes fourth rehab start
Thu, Apr 30, 2026, 12:29 PM
Kolek (oblique) allowed three runs (one earned) on eight hits and no walks across 4.1 innings with Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday. He struck out four.
Analysis: Kolek made his fourth rehab start with Triple-A Omaha as he builds back from a Grade 1 left oblique strain suffered in spring training. The right-hander allowed his highest hit total of the rehab assignment Wednesday, though it also marked his first outing without issuing a walk. Across four starts at Triple-A, the 28-year-old owns a 2.76 ERA and 1.41 WHIP with a 14:4 K:BB in 16.1 innings. Kolek appears to be nearing the end of his rehab assignment and is on track to be activated soon, though he could remain at Triple-A upon activation with no clear opening in the Royals' rotation. |
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Jac Caglianone Jac Caglianone Sitting against lefty
Thu, Apr 30, 2026, 11:26 AM
Caglianone is not in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Athletics.
Analysis: With lefty Jeffrey Springs on the hill for the Athletics, Caglianone will take a seat. Starling Marte is starting in right field and batting sixth. Caglianone is slashing .217/.250/.435 with one homer, two RBI and a 0:10 BB:K across 24 plate appearances against left-handed pitching this season. He hasn't been much better against right-handers. |
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Vinnie Pasquantino Vinnie Pasquantino Still out of lineup Thursday
Thu, Apr 30, 2026, 11:23 AM
Pasquantino (back) remains out of the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Athletics.
Analysis: Pasquantino will miss a second straight start with low-back tightness. The Athletics are also throwing lefty Jeffrey Springs, so it gives the Royals an opportunity to get more righties into the lineup. Salvador Perez is starting at first base and batting cleanup, and Elias Diaz checks into the lineup at catcher in the ninth spot. |
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Michael Wacha Michael Wacha Yields four runs in loss
Wed, Apr 29, 2026, 11:21 PM
Wacha (2-2) allowed four runs on eight hits and four walks while striking out five over five innings to take the loss versus the Athletics on Wednesday.
Analysis: Wacha threw 64 of 105 pitches for strikes. The biggest hit against him was Lawrence Butler's three-run blast in the fourth inning. After allowing just three runs over his first four starts, Wacha's given up 10 runs across 10.1 innings over his last two outings. He's at a 3.13 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 33:14 K:BB through 37.1 innings over six starts this season. The veteran right-hander has kept his ERA under 4.00 in each of the previous four seasons, so he should be pretty close to leveling off after his unsustainable hot start to the year. He's projected to make his next start at home versus the Guardians. |
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Ben Kudrna Ben Kudrna Undergoes surgery
Wed, Apr 29, 2026, 6:22 PM
Kudrna (elbow) underwent olecranon stress fracture fixation surgery Wednesday.
Analysis: Kudrna suffered a stress fracture in his right elbow while making his season debut in the minors April 5, and he's now set to miss an extended period of time after undergoing surgery. The Royals haven't announced a return timeline for the 26-year-old righty, though he's likely to miss multiple months. |
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Ryan Bergert Ryan Bergert Undergoes surgery
Wed, Apr 29, 2026, 6:18 PM
Bergert underwent surgery Wednesday to repair the UCL in his right elbow.
Analysis: Bergert was removed from his start at Triple-A Omaha on April 7 due to an elbow injury, and after receiving a second opinion, he ultimately decided to go under the knife to address the issue. The Royals didn't give a timeline for the right-hander's return, but he'll almost certainly miss the rest of the 2026 campaign. |
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Vinnie Pasquantino Vinnie Pasquantino Sitting out Wednesday
Wed, Apr 29, 2026, 5:08 PM
Pasquantino (back) isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Athletics.
Analysis: Pasquantino aggravated a back injury Tuesday that has been bothering him for a while, so the Royals will keep him on the bench Wednesday as a precaution. Salvador Perez will fill in for him at first base, moving Jac Caglianone into the DH spot and giving Lane Thomas a start in right field. |
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Carlos Estevez Carlos Estevez Better velocity in live BP
Wed, Apr 29, 2026, 3:01 PM
Royals president of baseball operations J.J. Picollo said Wednesday in an interview on 96.5 The Fan that Estevez's velocity during a live batting practice session Tuesday was closer to where it needs to be.
Analysis: Picollo did not offer any specific numbers, but it seems Estevez's velocity is at least trending in the right direction. Estevez will throw live batting practice again later this week before likely beginning a rehab assignment. There's no timetable for his return, but it seems unlikely he'll be activated before mid-May. Lucas Erceg has been up-and-down while filling in as the Royals' closer, so Estevez could get his job back if he shows good form as he gets ramped back up. Estevez has been shelved since early April with a left foot contusion. |
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Vinnie Pasquantino Vinnie Pasquantino Has nursed back issue for 'a while'
Wed, Apr 29, 2026, 12:46 PM
Royals manager Matt Quatraro said that Pasquantino is considered day-to-day after exiting Tuesday's game versus the Athletics with low-back tightness, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Pasquantino revealed that his back has bothered him for "a while," as he's been receiving regular treatment and using a heating/massage back pad in the dugout. He was "just having a hard time getting it loose" Tuesday, forcing his removal in the sixth inning. The Royals will see how Pasquantino is feeling Wednesday before determining his availability for the second game of the series. If Pasquantino is unable to play, the Royals could use Salvador Perez or Nick Loftin at first base. |
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Nick Mears Nick Mears Picks up second win
Wed, Apr 29, 2026, 10:34 AM
Mears (2-1) earned the win in Tuesday's 4-1 extra-inning win over the Athletics. He allowed no hits or walks while striking out two over a perfect inning.
Analysis: Mears worked a scoreless ninth inning and ultimately picked up his second win of the season, aided by a Bobby Witt three-run homer in the 10th inning. The right-handed reliever has put together a strong start to 2026, logging four straight scoreless appearances and recording scoreless outings in 10 of 12 appearances. Overall, he owns a 2.45 ERA and 1.09 WHIP across 11 innings and continues to make a strong case for high-leverage opportunities out of the Royals' bullpen. |
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Salvador Perez Salvador Perez Tallies fifth homer Tuesday
Wed, Apr 29, 2026, 10:27 AM
Perez went 2-for-5 with a solo home run in Tuesday's win over the Athletics.
Analysis: Perez opened the scoring for the Royals with a solo blast off Hogan Harris in the sixth inning to tie the game at one apiece. After a slow start to the season, the veteran backstop has begun to heat up, going 6-for-15 (.400) with two homers and four RBI across his past three appearances. Overall, Perez owns a .196 batting average and .586 OPS with five homers, three doubles, 10 RBI and 10 runs through 28 games. |
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Vinnie Pasquantino Vinnie Pasquantino Leaves early Tuesday
Tue, Apr 28, 2026, 10:47 PM
Pasquantino was removed from Tuesday's game against the Athletics with lower-back tightness.
Analysis: Pasquantino looked a bit uncomfortable running out of the batter's box during his groundout in the sixth inning, which prompted the Royals to take him out of the game when they took the field in the bottom of the frame. There's currently no information regarding the severity of his injury, but if he needs to miss any amount of time, Salvador Perez or Nick Loftin could see extra time at first base. |
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Jonathan India Jonathan India Has season-ending shoulder surgery
Tue, Apr 28, 2026, 6:07 PM
The Royals announced Tuesday that India underwent season-ending surgery to repair the labrum in his left shoulder.
Analysis: India hasn't played since April 18 and was placed on the injured list eight days ago due to a shoulder subluxation. After further testing, India required season-ending surgery. The 29-year-old's 2026 campaign ends with a .167/.310/.313 slash line with two home runs, eight RBI, eight runs scored and an 8:13 BB:K across 58 trips to the plate. It's been a disappointing two years for India in Kansas City after posting career-low numbers in 2025. Michael Massey and Nick Loftin should continue to see most of the reps at second base for the Royals. |
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Michael Massey Michael Massey Idle Tuesday
Tue, Apr 28, 2026, 4:59 PM
Massey is not in the lineup Tuesday versus the Athletics.
Analysis: Massey has slashed .389/.400/.722 with a home run and four RBI over his last five games since April 21. He previously had a four-game hit streak, but he went 0-for-2 April 26 versus the Angels. As he gets a breather Tuesday, Nick Loftin has the start at second base and is batting eighth. |
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Carter Jensen Carter Jensen On bench Tuesday
Tue, Apr 28, 2026, 4:49 PM
Jensen is not in the lineup Tuesday versus the Athletics.
Analysis: Jensen had started in the last six games for the Royals since he last sat April 19. In that span, he went 8-for-23 with a double, home run and four RBI. As he rests Tuesday, Salvador Perez has the start behind the plate and is batting cleanup. |
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Maikel Garcia Maikel Garcia Back in lineup Tuesday
Tue, Apr 28, 2026, 4:44 PM
Garcia (elbow) is starting at third and batting leadoff Tuesday versus the Athletics.
Analysis: Garcia did not start the last three games Friday through Sunday due to right elbow cramps. However, he was able to come off of the bench Sunday for two plate appearances and was able come around for a run after drawing a walk. |
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Luinder Avila Luinder Avila Summoned from minors
Tue, Apr 28, 2026, 2:32 PM
The Royals recalled Avila from Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.
Analysis: Avila has made one start and one long relief appearance with Kansas City this season, yielding six runs with a 6:4 K:BB over six innings of work. He will provide the Royals' bullpen with some length. |
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Anthony Gose Anthony Gose Links up with Royals
Tue, Apr 28, 2026, 12:08 PM
The Royals signed Gose to a minor-league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.
Analysis: Gose last pitched in the majors in 2024, when he made three appearances for Cleveland and allowed five earned runs over 4.1 frames. The left-hander split last season between the Mets and Diamondbacks organizations and had a combined 4.62 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 41:23 K:BB across 37 Triple-A innings. |
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