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Isbel has been diagnosed with a Grade 3 tear of a portion of his left plantar fasciitis.
It's unclear what this means for Isbel's timetable or if he will undergo surgery, but the nature of the injury points to an extended absence. Isbel was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday and could be a candidate to eventually shift to the 60-day IL. Lane Thomas and Kameron Misner are in line for increased opportunities in center field for the Royals while Isbel is on the shelf.
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Royals' Kyle Isbel: Placed on IL with plantar fasciitis
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The Royals placed Isbel on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with plantar fasciitis in his left foot.
Isbel was lifted from Tuesday's game versus the Rangers due to the injury, though it's unclear whether it occurred then or is an issue that's nagged at him. It's unclear how much time Isbel might miss. Lane Thomas will likely see the bulk of the reps in center field for Kansas City while Isbel is sidelined, though Kameron Misner was recalled from Triple-A Omaha and could also be in the mix for playing time.
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Royals' Kyle Isbel: Out of Wednesday's lineup
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Isbel (foot) is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rangers.
The left-handed-hitting Isbel had to depart Tuesday's contest because of plantar fasciitis in his left foot, though there's a good chance he would not have started Wednesday even if he were healthy, as southpaw MacKenzie Gore is on the bump for the Rangers. Lane Thomas will patrol center field for Kansas City.
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Royals' Kyle Isbel: Removed with foot injury
Rotowire
Isbel was removed from Tuesday's game against the Rangers due to plantar fasciitis in his left foot.
Isbel had gone 1-for-2 with a walk before his foot forced him out of the game in the seventh inning. His injury could require him to spend time on the injured list, though the club hasn't confirmed anything just yet. Lane Thomas and Tyler Tolbert would be next in line to pick up starts in center field during any games Isbel has to miss.
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Royals' Kyle Isbel: Rare day off versus righty
Rotowire
Isbel is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Yankees.
The Royals often hold the left-handed-hitting Isbel out of the lineup against southpaws, but he'll take a seat against right-hander Gerrit Cole in the series finale. Lane Thomas will replace Isbel in center field and will bat sixth.
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Royals' Kyle Isbel: Idle against lefty
Rotowire
Isbel is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the White Sox.
With southpaw Noah Schultz on the bump for Chicago, the Royals will stock up on some extra right-handed bats. Isbel will hit the bench along with fellow left-handed hitters Michael Massey, Jac Caglianone and Carter Jensen.
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Royals' Kyle Isbel: Not in Monday's lineup
Rotowire
Isbel is not in the Royals' starting lineup against the Guardians on Monday.
Even with right-hander Tanner Bibee taking the mound for the Guardians, the lefty-hitting Isbel will take a seat for Monday's series opener while Lane Thomas starts in center field and bats sixth. Over his last nine games, Isbel has gone 11-for-29 (.379) with one steal, one home run, two RBI and six runs scored.
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Royals' Kyle Isbel: Trio of hits Tuesday
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Isbel went 3-for-4 with two doubles and two runs scored in Tuesday's victory over Baltimore.
Isbel was productive out of the nine hole, recording three hits, including a pair of doubles to lead off the fifth and seventh innings. After opening the season with an eight-game hitting streak and an OPS north of 1.000, the outfielder entered Tuesday's contest just 1-for-27 over his previous 11 games. He will look to build on this performance and get back on track at the plate to complement his well-regarded defense.
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Royals' Kyle Isbel: Idle Sunday
Rotowire
Isbel is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Yankees.
The Royals will stock up some extra right-handed bats to counter Yankees southpaw Ryan Weathers, so Isbel will hit the bench along with fellow left-handed hitters Carter Jensen and Jac Caglianone. Isbel had started each of the last four games but went 1-for-10 at the dish, bringing his season average down to .265.
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Royals' Kyle Isbel: Absent from lineup vs. LHP
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Isbel is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Guardians.
The left-handed-hitting Isbel has now been left out of the lineup three times through the Royals' first 12 games, with all of his absences coming against left-handed starters. Lane Thomas will step in for Isbel in center field Wednesday, and the two players appear likely to work in a platoon for the foreseeable future.
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Royals' Kyle Isbel: Big game in win
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Isbel went 4-for-4 with a solo home run, a second RBI, a stolen base and three total runs scored in Wednesday's 13-9 win over the Twins.
Isbel has homered in his last two games, and he's hit safely in all four of his contests so far. He's batting .571 (8-for-14) with two homers, four RBI, four runs scored and three stolen bases. Isbel hit .255 with a .654 OPS over 135 regular-season games in 2025, so there's unlikely to be much power in his bat, but he should be able to top his four homers from last year. Isbel's strong defense should help him maintain a regular role in center field once the hitting drops off.
Isbel went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and a stolen base in Monday's 3-1 victory over the Twins.
Isbel took Woods Richardson deep in the bottom of the second inning to give Kansas City the lead, and that was all the offense his club needed. Isbel also delivered a single to center field in the seventh but was later stranded after stealing second. The 29-year-old is off to a strong start to 2026, as he's picked up a base knock in all three of his appearances and has also swiped a pair of bags.
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Royals' Kyle Isbel: On bench for season opener
Rotowire
Isbel isn't part of the starting nine for Friday's game against Atlanta.
Isbel will take a seat for the Royals' season opener, as southpaw Chris Sale takes the mound for Atlanta. Isaac Collins, Lane Thomas and Starling Marte will fill the outfield from left to right Friday.
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Royals' Kyle Isbel: Pair of hits in spring win
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Isbel went 2-for-2 with a double and a run scored in Sunday's Cactus League win over the White Sox.
Isbel reached base in both of his at-bats, first via a bunt single in the third inning and then with a 103.8 mph double to lead off the bottom of the fifth frame. Sunday marked the 29-year-old's second two-hit performance of the spring, bringing his Cactus League totals to .231/.355/.269 with a double and two RBI across 11 appearances. Coming off a 2025 season in which he hit .255/.301/.353 with four homers, 33 RBI and 42 runs scored, Isbel will face competition from the likes of Isaac Collins (side), Lane Thomas and Starling Marte for playing time in the outfield. However, Isbel's stellar glove in center field bodes well for him seeing consistent playing time in 2026.
Isbel (hamstring) agreed to a one-year, $2.7 million contract with the Royals on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
Isbel batted .255 over 135 games last year but otherwise failed to improve at the plate, finishing the season with a .654 OPS alongside four home runs, 33 RBI and 42 runs scored -- all decreases from 2024. With the Royals bringing in Lane Thomas and Isaac Collins during the offseason, Isbel is likely to receive some competition for playing time in the outfield in 2026.
Royals' Kyle Isbel: Sent to IL with strained hamstring
Rotowire
The Royals placed Isbel on the 10-day injured list Thursday with a left hamstring strain.
Isbel suffered the injury during Wednesday's game against the Mariners. He will be eligible for activation the final day of the regular season, but there's a good chance the injury will end the outfielder's season. Mike Yastrzemski is starting in center field for the Royals on Thursday and could settle in there down the stretch, which could open up more playing time in left field for Adam Frazier.
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