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Nick Loftin Nick Loftin Dealing with groin bruise
Sun, Jun 28, 2026, 1:30 PM
Loftin is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox due to a groin contusion, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: During Saturday's 2-1 loss, Loftin went 0-for-3 with a strikeout before being lifted midway through the bottom of the ninth inning after he took a ball to a sensitive area while attempting to catch a throw to third base from Daniel Lynch. Per Rogers, Loftin said he's feeling much better Sunday and will be available off the bench, so the 27-year-old would appear to have a good chance at returning to the starting nine in Tuesday's series opener versus the Rays. |
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Kris Bubic Kris Bubic Completes two innings in rehab
Sun, Jun 28, 2026, 11:50 AM
Bubic (elbow) allowed a hit and no walks with no strikeouts across two scoreless innings in Saturday's rehab start with Triple-A Omaha.
Analysis: Bubic resumed his rehab assignment Wednesday by tossing a perfect inning, and Saturday marked another positive step as the left-hander completed two scoreless innings on 22 pitches (15 strikes). He has been sidelined since May 18 due to left elbow soreness, though his initial rehab assignment was halted after one outing June 9 because of left shoulder discomfort. A return to Kansas City before the All-Star break remains possible, but if the left-hander gets fully stretched out, he likely won't get activated until after the break. The Royals will evaluate how Bubic feels Sunday before determining his next steps, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports. |
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Jac Caglianone Jac Caglianone Managing groin issue
Sun, Jun 28, 2026, 11:10 AM
Caglianone was scratched from the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox due to left groin soreness, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: It's unclear when exactly Caglianone sustained the injury, though he's been scuffling at the plate over the past four games, going 1-for-15 with a walk, a triple and eight strikeouts. The 23-year-old will miss at least one start while he tends to the injury. |
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Jac Caglianone Jac Caglianone Late scratch from lineup
Sun, Jun 28, 2026, 10:44 AM
The Royals scratched Caglianone from the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox without specifying a reason, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.
Analysis: Caglianone had been slated to bat third and start in right field, but the Royals pulled him from the lineup about an hour and a half before game time. The team is expected to provide an explanation behind Caglianone's removal later Sunday, but Kameron Misner will get the nod in right field in his stead. Caglianone had been dialed in at the dish for much of June, producing a .322/.402/.678 slash line on the month while slugging nine of his 14 home runs on the season. |
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Michael Wacha Michael Wacha Strikes out seven in no-decision
Sat, Jun 27, 2026, 5:49 PM
Wacha did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 2-1 loss to the White Sox, allowing one run on six hits and one walk with seven strikeouts over 7.2 innings.
Analysis: Wacha was locked in a pitcher's duel with Davis Martin, opening with six scoreless innings before yielding a run in the seventh. He threw 70 of 105 pitches for strikes with 11 whiffs while not allowing an extra-base hit. The 34-year-old has now logged three straight quality starts and worked at least seven frames in eight of 17 outings this season. He'll take a 3.31 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 84:30 K:BB across 108.2 innings into a home matchup with the Phillies next weekend. |
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Cole Ragans Cole Ragans Scheduled for surgery
Sat, Jun 27, 2026, 2:44 PM
Ragans will undergo surgery on his left elbow Wednesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: A left elbow impingement has kept Ragans on the shelf since early May. He suffered a setback in his recovery June 13 and will now opt to go under the knife to address the issue. The type of procedure he receives will be determined once the surgeon, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, determines exactly what is wrong with Ragans' elbow, so a timeline for the southpaw's return won't be available until the operation is complete. |
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Eric Cerantola Eric Cerantola Back in majors
Sat, Jun 27, 2026, 12:38 PM
The Royals recalled Cerantola from Triple-A Omaha on Saturday.
Analysis: Cerantola has given up six earned runs in 10.2 innings at Triple-A since making his last appearance in the big leagues, but he'll return to Kansas City to help stabilize a Royals staff that went through eight pitchers while giving up 22 runs Friday. Mitch Spence was optioned to Omaha in a corresponding move. |
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Mitch Spence Mitch Spence Sent down to Triple-A
Sat, Jun 27, 2026, 12:34 PM
The Royals optioned Spence to Triple-A Omaha on Saturday.
Analysis: Spence was lit up for 10 earned runs in just 1.1 innings during Friday's 22-1 blowout loss, so the Royals will send him back to the minors in favor of Eric Cerantola. Spence has given up at least six earned runs in all three of his MLB appearances this season and owns a 6.47 ERA through 48.2 frames at Omaha. |
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Mitch Spence Mitch Spence Hammered in loss
Fri, Jun 26, 2026, 10:15 PM
Spence (0-2) took the loss against the White Sox on Friday, allowing 10 runs on eight hits and three walks with two strikeouts over 1.1 innings.
Analysis: Spence was recalled to handle bulk-relief duties due to Stephen Kolek being placed on the paternity list, and Spence was charged with 10 runs in a nightmare third inning. The 28-year-old has surrendered 22 earned runs in just 9.1 major-league innings this season and will likely be sent back to Triple-A Omaha upon Kolek's return. |
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Bobby Witt Jr. Bobby Witt Jr. Starting at DH on Friday
Fri, Jun 26, 2026, 2:46 PM
Witt (knee) is batting second as the designated hitter Friday against the White Sox.
Analysis: Witt is back in the lineup for the first time since June 18, when he exited with a sprained MCL against the Cardinals. After missing the past week, Witt appears to be healthy enough to swing the bat and run the bases. Josh Rojas is making the start at shortstop and batting seventh for Kansas City. Witt is slashing .294/.368/.465 with 10 homers, 32 RBI, 40 runs scored, 28 stolen bases and a 35:57 BB:K across 337 plate appearances this season. He leads American League position players in WAR (4.3) and stolen bases. |
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Mitch Spence Mitch Spence Recalled from Triple-A
Fri, Jun 26, 2026, 1:29 PM
The Royals recalled Spence from Triple-A Omaha on Friday.
Analysis: With Stephen Kolek going on paternity leave and missing his scheduled start Friday against the White Sox, Spence will give the Royals' bullpen some length behind opener Steven Cruz. Spence has appeared in two games for Kansas City this season, allowing 12 runs on 11 hits and six walks with just four strikeouts across eight innings. He's operated as a starter with Omaha. |
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Steven Cruz Steven Cruz Drawing opener assignment Friday
Fri, Jun 26, 2026, 1:24 PM
Cruz is listed as the Royals' opener for Friday's game against the White Sox.
Analysis: Kansas City has an opening in its rotation Friday with Stephen Kolek (personal) away from the team while he awaits the birth of his child, so Cruz will step in to make his first MLB start since 2023. The 27-year-old right-hander hasn't recorded more than six outs in any appearance this season and will be pitching on just two days' rest, so he's unlikely to last even once through the batting order. The Royals called up Mitch Spence from Triple-A Omaha on Friday, and he'll presumably be tasked with covering multiple innings in bulk relief. |
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Kris Bubic Kris Bubic Logs scoreless frame in rehab start
Fri, Jun 26, 2026, 9:41 AM
Bubic (elbow) threw a perfect inning while striking out one in Wednesday's rehab start with Triple-A Omaha.
Analysis: Bubic is recovering from left elbow soreness, but his initial rehab assignment was halted June 9 due to shoulder discomfort. The southpaw threw six of eight pitches for strikes Wednesday before departing. Per MLB.com, Bubic is scheduled to throw two innings with Triple-A Omaha on Saturday as he continues to build up. If the 28-year-old avoids any further setbacks, a return to the Kansas City rotation before the All-Star break might be possible. |
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Seth Lugo Seth Lugo Hit hard in loss
Thu, Jun 25, 2026, 1:53 PM
Lugo (3-5) took the loss Thursday against the Rays, allowing seven runs on seven hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out three.
Analysis: Lugo fell victim to the long ball Thursday, with six of the seven runs charged to the right-hander coming on three homers (including two off the bat of Junior Caminero). Lugo's ERA is now up to 4.18 through 16 starts (90.1 innings) this season with a 1.37 WHIP and 69:30 K:BB. He'll look to rebound his next time out, currently scheduled to come next week at home in a rematch with the Rays. |
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Bobby Witt Jr. Bobby Witt Jr. Tracking toward return Friday
Thu, Jun 25, 2026, 10:11 AM
Royals manager Matt Quatraro indicated Thursday that Witt (knee) is on track to return to the lineup Friday versus the White Sox, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.
Analysis: Witt is missing a sixth straight start Thursday against the Rays as he overcomes a Grade 1 MCL sprain of his right knee. However, he went through a full pregame workout Wednesday and bounced back well Thursday. Witt should be available off the bench Thursday before returning to the lineup Friday, barring a setback. |
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Stephen Kolek Stephen Kolek Going on paternity list
Thu, Jun 25, 2026, 9:57 AM
Kolek won't be available to make his scheduled start Friday against the White Sox and is expected to be placed on the paternity list prior to the contest, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.
Analysis: Once he's officially placed on the list, Kolek will be away from the club for the next 1-to-3 days, by rule. He could rejoin the team this weekend to make a start against the White Sox, though the Royals might also opt to just skip the right-hander's turn through the rotation. Kolek is coming off his worst start of the season, having allowed nine runs over 1.2 innings in a loss to the Cardinals last Sunday. |
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Michael Massey Michael Massey Not in Thursday's lineup
Thu, Jun 25, 2026, 8:53 AM
Massey is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rays.
Analysis: The Rays have a right-handed opener (Casey Legumina) followed by a left-handed bulk reliever (Ian Seymour) going in the series finale, so the left-handed-swinging Massey will take a seat. Josh Rojas is at second base and will bat fifth for the Royals. |
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Bobby Witt Jr. Bobby Witt Jr. Out of lineup again Thursday
Thu, Jun 25, 2026, 8:44 AM
Witt (knee) remains out of the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Rays.
Analysis: Witt will miss a sixth consecutive start as he deals with a Grade 1 MCL sprain of his right knee. He has been available off the bench the last couple days, so Witt does appear likely to avoid a trip to the injured list. His next opportunity to return to the Royals' lineup will come Friday in Chicago against the division-leading White Sox. |
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Noah Cameron Noah Cameron Falls to Tampa Bay
Wed, Jun 24, 2026, 8:57 PM
Cameron (4-5) took the loss Wednesday against the Rays, allowing five runs on eight hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out five.
Analysis: It was a tough night for Cameron, who gave up three runs in the third inning and another two in the fourth. The left-hander has now given up 12 earned runs over 14.1 innings in his last three starts after posting a 1.13 ERA across 24 innings in his previous four outings. Cameron will look to turn things around in his next start, currently scheduled as a rematch with the Rays at home next week. |
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Lane Thomas Lane Thomas Given evening off
Wed, Jun 24, 2026, 4:25 PM
Thomas is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays.
Analysis: Thomas will head to the bench for the first time since June 12, ending a streak of 10 starts during which he produced a .220/.289/.512 slash line with three home runs, seven RBI and seven runs. The Royals should have a near-everyday role available in the outfield for Thomas while the team currently has three lineup regulars (Maikel Garcia, Vinnie Pasquantino and Kyle Isbel) on the injured list. |
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