Kansas City Royals

The Kansas City Royals have inked right-hander Zach Davies to a minor-league deal and he will report to Triple-A Omaha. (Source: Kansas City Royals on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: The MLB veteran couldn't find any takers on a big-league deal after he scuffled to a 7.00 ERA in 18 starts with the D-backs last season. The 31-year-old owns a career 4.36 ERA and a subpar 9.4% K-BB% across an even 200 big-league outings,

Hunter Renfroe hit his first home run of the season on Sunday against the White Sox.

Fantasy Impact: Renfroe went 1-for-3 on the afternoon. He is slashing .138/.167/.241 so far this season.

Nelson Velazquez went 2-for-3 with two runs, a home run, and two RBI in a commanding 10-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox.

Fantasy Impact: This performance was impressive from Velazquez; however, fantasy managers should keep an eye on his high strikeout rate (36.8%), which could pose a risk to his playing time and batting average throughout the season. He’s not a great fielder and the Royals have him rotating between corner outfield spots and DH which hurts his ability to play every day. Despite this, Velazquez's power-hitting capabilities, underscored by his second home run of the season, make him a potentially valuable asset for fantasy rosters, especially in leagues that reward power numbers. He’s someone to keep an eye on to see if he can improve his strikeout rate.

Outfielder Garrett Hampson is in the starting lineup Tuesday versus the Orioles. (Source: MLB.com)

Fantasy Impact: With lefty Cole Irvin starting for Baltimore, the Royals are stacking right-handed bats which gives Hampson the starting nod in center field. The 29-year-old hit .276 with three homers and five stolen bases across 98 games with the Marlins last season.

Royals infielder Adam Frazier is not in the starting lineup Tuesday versus the Orioles. (Source: MLB.com)

Fantasy Impact: Frazier went 0-for-2 in the series opener on Monday before being lifted for a pinch-hitter and will start on the bench Tuesday with a lefty on the mound in Cole Irvin. The veteran hit .240 with 13 home runs and 11 stolen bases across 141 games with the Orioles last season.

Royals outfielder Kyle Isbel is not in the starting lineup Tuesday versus the Orioles. (Source: MLB.com)

Fantasy Impact: Isbel went 1-for-4 in the series opener on Monday but will take a seat with left-hander Cole Irvin on the mound Tuesday. He had a down season at the plate in 2023, hitting .240 with five homers, seven steals, and a .662 OPS across 91 games played.

Dairon Blanco stole two bases as a pinch-runner in the Royals 6-4 loss against the Orioles.

Fantasy Impact: Blanco pinch-ran for Kyle Isbel, stealing second and third base where he scored on a sacrifice fly by Maikel Garcia.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Jonathan Bowlan agreed to a contract with the Royals for the 2024 season to avoid arbitration. (Source: Kansas City Royals on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Bowlan made his MLB debut late last season with Kansas City after being a second-round pick in the 2019 MLB Draft. He made his debut as an opener last season, a role he could continue to hold this season.

The Mariners have acquired INF/OF Samad Taylor from Kansas City in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. (Source: Ryan Divish on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: The Royals made this move to open up room for the signing of Adam Frazier. Taylor saw 60 at-bats last season, drawing seven walks and stealing eight bases. He figures to play in a utility role in Seattle this season.

Will Smith is reportedly the lead candidate to close games for the Royals this season. (Source: Ken Rosenthal)

Fantasy Impact: Smith recorded 22 saves for the Rangers last season. Barring any more moves made by Kansas City this offseason, it would appear he'll open the season as the closer for the Royals.

Nick Anderson signed a one-year deal worth $1.575 million with the Royals to avoid arbitration. (Source: Bob Nightengale on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Anderson landed in Kansas City last year after he was traded from the Braves. He figures to remain a big part of the back end of the Royals bullpen.