Kansas City Royals

Royals SS Adalberto Mondesi (foot) is running the bases on Thursday. (Source: Josh Vernier on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Manager Mike Matheny says Mondesi's foot injury is moving in the right direction. There's no reason to think he won't be ready for the start of the season right now.

The Royals and Hunter Dozier have agreed on a four-year, $25 million contract extension, which includes a fifth-year option for $10 million. (Source: Jeff Passan onTwitter)

Fantasy Impact: Dozier had a down 2020 season, but the Royals are obviously buying into what they saw in 2019, when Dozier slashed .279/.348/.522. His Statcast data from last year seemed like an outlier, so it's a fair bet that Dozier bounces back this season to something closer to what he looked like in 2019. With the soon-to-be addition of third base eligibility, Dozier makes a fine late-round selection this year, and his dynasty stock is trending up with his extension.

Brad Keller told reporters on Sunday that he feels more confident throwing and executing his changeup heading into the 2021 season. (Source: Alec Lewis on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Keller told reporters that he was forced to throw the changeup last season and was encouraged by the results. Now, he feels more confident in the pitch heading into this season. The 25-year-old registered a 2.47 ERA in 54.2 innings pitched in the 2020 season.

Jakob Junis will begin Spring Training as a starter according to manager Mike Matheny. (Source: Alec Lewis on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: After struggling as a starter during the 2020 season Junis was moved to the bullpen down the stretch. He posted a 6.39 ERA and 1.62 WHIP over 25 1/3 total innings last year and isn't a recommended fantasy option as a starter or a reliever.

Danny Duffy and teammate Jakob Junis will both start out as starters in Spring Training, according to Royals manager Mike Matheny. (Source: Alec Lewis on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: It's no surprise that Duffy will be worked out as a starter during Spring Training as that's been his primary role throughout his career with the Royals. He made 12 appearances (11 starts) last season and compiled a 4.95 ERA and 1.33 WHIP over 56 1/3 innings. He's not a recommended fantasy arm in upcoming drafts.

According to Jeff Passan, Franchy Cordero has been traded to the Red Sox in a deal involving Andrew Benintendi and Royals outfield prospect Khalil Lee. (Source: Jeff Passan on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Since Franchy Cordero's debut in 2017 with the Padres, he hasn't been given the chance to play much and thus hasn't produced. Throughout his entire major league career, Cordero totaled 12 home runs, 43 runs, 36 RBI, and eight steals with a .236 batting average in 315 plate appearances. Cordero has plus-plus raw power and speed but struggles with plate discipline. He could be a sneaky sleeper in drafts with an NFBC ADP around pick 368.

Jon Morosi of MLB.com reports the Royals are inviting lefty pitching prospect Asa Lacy to big league spring training. (Source: Jon Morosi on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Fellow top prospect Bobby Witt Jr. is receiving an invite as well. Lacy was the fourth overall pick from last year's draft. The 21-year-old was having a dominant campaign for Texas A&M before the season was shut down early due to COVID-19. Lacy's "stuff" is considered high-end. He just needs to work on the command.

Jon Morosi of MLB.com reports Royals top prospects Bobby Witt Jr. and Asa Lacy are receiving invites to big league spring training. (Source: Jon Morosi on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Neither player is expected to begin the season in Kansas City, and it's up in the air if either one will even debut this season. Still, it'll be great exposure for each top prospect. Witt is viewed as a well-rounded shortstop and is a consensus top-10 prospect in baseball. He's firmly on the radar for dynasty league fantasy players.

Royals' C Salvador Perez was named AL Comeback Player of the Year. (Source: Ken Rosenthal on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Perez missed of all 2019 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. He edged out Carlos Carrasco and Jose Ramirez for the award. The 30-year-old bounced back in 2020, slashing .333/.353/.633 with 11 home runs, 32 RBI, 22 runs scored and one stolen base over 156 plate appearances. Perez is expected to be one of the top catchers off the board in upcoming 2021 fantasy drafts.

Bubba Starling was non-tendered by the Royals on Wednesday and will become a free agent. (Source: Kansas City Royals on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Starling hit just .169 with a .456 OPS over 59 at-bats for the Royals in 2020. Kansas City decided to throw in the towel on the former first-rounder.

The Royals and OF Jorge Soler have avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $8.05 million contract. (Source: Jeffrey Flanagan on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Soler can reportedly earn a bit more in incentives. The former Cub erupted in 2019 by belting 48 homers in a full season, but he posted just a .769 OPS during the shortened 2020 campaign. Soler also battled oblique issues throughout the summer.

3B Maikel Franco was non-tendered by the Royals Wednesday. (Source: Mark Feinsand on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Franco was projected to win from $5 to $8 million in arbitration. The Royals elected to non-tender the 3B on Wednesday. Franco slashed .278/.321/.457 over 243 plate appearances for the Royals in a shortened 2020 campaign. The 28-year-old will try to latch onto another team and compete for a starting 3B gig next year.

Jesse Hahn avoided arbitration and avoided a one-year, $1.75 million contract with the Royals. (Source: Bob Nightengale on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Hahn had a tremendous 2020, pitching to a 0.52 ERA over 17 and 1/3 innings. He will be in contention to be the closer for the Royals, and will be targeted as a back-end reliever target in 2021 drafts.

Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports the Royals have shown interest in bringing back RHP Greg Holland. (Source: Jeffrey Flanagan on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Holland was fantastic in 2020, posting a 1.91 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP in 28 appearances. He could wind up fetching a deal out of the Royals' preferred price range as they continue their rebuild.

Kansas City Royals right-hander Brady Singer allowed just one run over seven innings in a 3-1 win over Detroit on Sunday. He struck out five and allowed three hits.

Fantasy Impact: Singer finishes his rookie season with a 4-5 record, 4.06 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 61 strikeouts in 64 1/3 innings of work. While his final numbers aren't eye-popping, Singer had tossed a handful of gems in his rookie campaign.

Kansas City Royals right-hander Carlos Hernandez allowed four runs (three earned) over 1 2/3 innings of work in a 4-3 loss to the Tigers on Saturday.

Fantasy Impact: Hernandez struggled in his final outing of the 2020 season. He finishes with a 0-1 record, 4.91 ERA, 1.70 WHIP, and 13 strikeouts across 14 2/3 innings of work.

Kansas City Royals outfielder Whit Merrifield went 1-for-4 with a run and a steal in a 3-2 win over the Tigers on Friday.

Fantasy Impact: He struck out in his other three at-bats. Merrifield has stolen a base in consecutive games now. He is putting the finishing touches on another productive season at the plate, hitting .280 with nine homers, 37 runs, 30 RBI, and 12 steals.

Kansas City left-hander Kris Bubic allowed four runs across 4 2/3 innings of work in an 8-7 win over Detroit on Thursday. Bubic struck out five and walked three.

Fantasy Impact: Bubic didn't factor in the decision. He finishes his rookie season with a 1-6 record, 4.32 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, and 49 strikeouts across 50 innings of work.

Jeffrey Flanagan from MLB.com reports that Royals OF Alex Gordon is retiring from baseball. (Source: Jeffrey Flanagan on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: An official announcement from the Royals is expected soon. Gordon was the second overall pick in the 2005 draft and wound up spending his entire career in Kansas City. A third baseman coming up, Gordon eventually became one of the best defensive outfielders in baseball. He was part of the Royals' 2015 World Series title and made three All-Star teams during his career. Additionally, he won seven Gold Glove awards. From 2011-14 Gordon accumulated the sixth most wins above replacement among position players, according to Baseball-Reference.

The Royals placed Matt Harvey (lat) on the 10-day injured list. (Source: Kansas City Royals on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Harvey suffered the injury in Tuesday's game against the Tigers. He's likely done for the year. Harvey gave up 15 earned runs in 11 2/3 innings this season.