Kansas City Royals
AL Central
The Royals placed Carlos Hernandez on the 15-day injured list.
Fantasy Impact: Hernandez was shut down from throwing at the end of February. He began his throwing progression a couple of weeks ago. He'll miss the start of the season as a result.
Category: Injury Updates
The Royals placed Josh Taylor on the 15-day injured list.
Fantasy Impact: Taylor will miss the start of the season due to left biceps soreness.
Category: Injury Updates
The Royals placed Jake Brentz on the 15-day injured list. (Source: Anne Rogers on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Brentz is expected to be sidelined up to six weeks after suffering a hamstring injury in his final Spring Training appearance.
Category: Injury Updates
Michael Wacha's (finger) X-rays came back negative on Monday. (Source: Jackson Stone on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Wacha was struck on his right middle finger by a line drive on Sunday, but he was fortunate enough to avoid a significant injury and will begin the season in the Royals' rotation. The veteran righty is expected to make his season debut Monday against the Orioles.
Category: Injury Updates
With the Royals optioning Drew Waters, Kyle Isbel is expected to serve as the team’s center fielder. (Source: Anne Rogers on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: Isbel turned in a solid spring performance, registering a .306 batting average, with one home run, five RBI, and two stolen bases in 36 at-bats. The 27-year-old has a chance to hold on to the everyday center fielder job as long as his bat can perform better than it did in 2023.
Sandy Leon has been granted his release by the Kansas City Royals. (Source: Kansas City Royals on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Leon will look to land as a depth option with a new team heading into the season.
Category: Transactions
Michael Massey will open the season on the injured list. (Source: Jaylon T. Thompson on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Massey was scratched from the Royals lineup earlier in the week on Tuesday due to back tightness and has been sidelined since. Nick Loftin made the team, and is in line to see some playing time at second base in the absence of Massey.
Category: Injury Updates
Asa Lacy underwent Tommy John surgery. (Source: Asa Lacy on Instagram)
Fantasy Impact: Lacy will miss his second straight season after missing all of last year. The former No. 4 overall pick will look to make a full recovery for the 2025 season.
Category: Injury Updates
The Royals have announced that SP Cole Ragans will serve as the team’s Opening Day starter. (Source: Anne Rogers on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: Ragans turned in a solid 2023 season, posting a 3.47 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP in 96 innings pitched. Despite posting a 5.40 ERA in four spring outings, the 26-year-old will take the mound to open the season for the rebuilding Royals.
Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Dairon Blanco was receiving an MRI on Monday (Source: Anne Rogers on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Blanco exited Saturday’s game with cramping. The Royals should provide an update on his status soon.
Category: Injury Updates
Mon, Feb 26th 3:27pm EST
By Ari Koslow
Hunter Renfroe has been dealing with lower back tightness, but is expected to be in the Royals lineup on Wednesday. (Source: Anne Rogers on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Renfroe has yet to make his Spring Training debut due to the back injury, but it isn't considered to be too serious. He is participating in a workout on Monday, and should be on the field on Wednesday.
Category: Injury Updates
The Kansas City Royals signed Austin Nola to a one-year deal. (Source: Kansas City Royals on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Nola heads to Kansas City after being released by the Brewers. He will remain off the fantasy radar.
Category: Transactions
The Royals have placed Kris Bubic on the 60-day injured list. (Source: Kansas City Royals on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Bubic is continuing to work his way back from Tommy John surgery. He threw a bullpen session Wednesday, and will continue to slowly work his way back to full health.
Category: Injury Updates
Fri, Feb 23rd 11:26am EST
By Ari Koslow
Vinnie Pasquantino is set to hit second and start at first base in Friday's Cactus League opener for the Royals against the Rangers. (Source: Kansas City Royals on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: It will be the first game action for Pasquantino since undergoing surgery last June. He'll look to pick up where he left off at the plate before the injury.
Category: Injury Updates
Josh Lester has signed a minor league deal with the Royals. (Source: Andrew Parker on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Lester was previously in the Orioles organization. He'll add some infield depth with Kansas City.
Category: Transactions
Kyle Wright (shoulder) has been placed on the 60-day IL. (Source: Kansas City Royals on X)
Fantasy Impact: Wright underwent surgery to repair a torn capsule in his right shoulder and was already expected to the entire 2024 season. He'll look to compete for a spot in the Royals' rotation in 2025.
Category: Injury Updates
Angel Zerpa is the only Royals pitcher who has yet to report due to visa/passport issues. (Source: Anne Rogers on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Catcher Rodolfo Durán has also yet to report due to the same issues. They shouldn't have too much of an issue getting to camp soon with still over a month till Opening Day.
Freddy Fermin agreed to a deal for the 2024 season with the Royals to avoid arbitration. (Source: Kansas City Royals on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Fermin is recovering from season-ending surgery last September to repair a left middle finger fracture. He remains the backup to Salvador Perez behind the plate for the Royals.
Category: Transactions
Drew Waters agreed to a contract for the 2024 season with the Royals to avoid arbitration. (Source: Kansas City Royals on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Waters hit .228 last season with eight home runs and 16 stolen bases. He is currently slated to start in right field for Kansas City, but likely won't hold too much fantasy upside.
Category: Transactions
Thu, Feb 8th 4:08pm EST
By Ari Koslow
Nelson Velazquez signed a contract for the 2024 season with the Royals to avoid arbitration. (Source: Kansas City Royals on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Velazquez was traded from the Cubs to Kansas City last July. Hit hit 14 home runs in just 39 games played with the team. He'll be a player to watch in Spring Training.
Category: Transactions