Isbel went 2-for-4 with three RBI, two runs scored and a steal in Sunday's 11-7 win over the Tigers.
Isbel got in on the offensive slugfest, recording a season-high three RBI with a pair of singles. It was a productive homestand for the center fielder, as he went 7-for-21 (.333) with two homers, eight RBI, six runs and a stolen base across six games. Overall, Isbel is hitting .241/.288/.370 with six homers, 23 RBI, 25 runs and six stolen bases in 73 contests.
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Royals' Kyle Isbel: Connects with homer No. 6
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Isbel went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a strikeout during Kansas City's 3-1 over Detroit on Saturday.
In his first at-bat, Isbel launched a solo home run off of Drew Anderson, contributing the game's first run. The 29-year-old outfielder has now blasted home runs in back-to-back games on two occasions but has otherwise hasn't provided much power with just two additional homers. Isbel is slashing .236/.284/.368 with five steals, 20 RBI and 23 runs in 235 plate appearances this year.
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Royals' Kyle Isbel: Clubs fifth homer
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Isbel went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a double and an additional RBI in Friday's 5-2 win over the Tigers.
Isbel connected on a solo homer in the fifth inning before adding an RBI double in the eighth frame. Since returning from a nearly two-month stint on the injured list due to a Grade 3 tear of his left plantar fascia, the center fielder is slashing .200/.229/.356 with two homers, eight RBI and six runs across 15 contests. Overall, Isbel is hitting .234/.283/.354 with five homers, 19 RBI, 22 runs and five stolen bases in 71 games.
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Royals' Kyle Isbel: Activated, but not in lineup
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The Royals reinstated Isbel (foot) from the 10-day injured list Sunday.
Isbel has completed his recovery from a Grade 3 tear of his left plantar fascia, an injury that had kept him on the shelf since June 10. However, with southpaw Kyle Freeland on the hill for the Rockies, the left-handed hitter will stay on the bench for now. Isbel was productive during his nine-game rehab assignment at Triple-A Omaha with an .878 OPS, but he slashed just .244/.298/.354 with three home runs and five stolen bases in 56 games with Kansas City before suffering the foot injury.
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Royals' Kyle Isbel: Kicks off rehab assignment
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Isbel (foot) went 1-for-2 with an RBI triple and a run scored with Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.
Isbel led off and played three innings in center field during his first rehab game after landing on the injured list June 10 with a Grade 3 tear of a portion of his left plantar fascia. Returning to game action is a notable step in the right direction, though how the 29-year-old's foot responds throughout the rehab assignment will determine when he's ready to return to the big-league club. Before hitting the shelf, Isbel slashed .244/.298/.354 with three home runs, 11 RBI, 16 runs and five stolen bases across 56 games.
Isbel (foot) is slated to start a rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.
Isbel is ready to take a significant step in his recovery program for a Grade 3 tear of the left plantar fascia, which caused him to go on the IL in mid-June. How his foot reacts to in-game activities will ultimately determine when he'll be ready to return to major-league action. Prior to his foot injury, Isbel was slashing .244/.298/.354 with five steals, three home runs and 11 RBI across 183 plate appearances.
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Royals' Kyle Isbel: Nearing rehab stint
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Isbel (foot) participated in a full team workout Friday and could begin a rehab assignment next week, per MLB.com.
Isbel has been shelved since June 10 with a Grade 3 tear of a portion of his left plantar fascia. He had been aiming to begin a rehab assignment before the All-Star break, but soreness prevented those plans from materializing. The 29-year-old's participation in Friday's workout is a positive step, though how he feels afterward and whether he's able to avoid soreness will determine how soon he'll begin a minor-league rehab assignment and ultimately return to the active roster. In Isbel's absence, Lane Thomas has handled center-field duties.
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Royals' Kyle Isbel: Rehab assignment delayed
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Isbel will not begin a rehab assignment Tuesday as hoped after feeling soreness in his left foot while running this past weekend, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Isbel has been sidelined for nearly a month after being diagnosed with a Grade 3 tear of a portion of his left plantar fascia. He had aimed to play a handful of rehab games before returning to the Royals' active roster after the All-Star break, but now Isbel will be re-evaluated before next steps are determined. With Isbel's status unclear, Lane Thomas will get more run in center field for Kansas City.
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Royals' Kyle Isbel: Targeting rehab stint before ASB
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Isbel (foot) will continue his rehab in Arizona to begin July with the hope of embarking on a rehab assignment before the All-Star break, MLB.com reports.
Isbel was diagnosed with a Grade 3 tear of a portion of his left plantar fascia after being placed on the injured list June 10. The center fielder is now targeting a rehab assignment before the All-Star break after beginning to swing June 17, which would represent a relatively quick return to game action given the severity of his injury. Before being sidelined, Isbel slashed .244/.298/.354 with three homers, 11 RBI, 16 runs and five stolen bases across 56 games.
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: 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: 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: Big game in win
Rotowire
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.
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Royals' Kyle Isbel: Slugs first homer of 2026
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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
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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: Nets $2.7 million from Royals
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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.
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Royals' Kyle Isbel: Sent to IL with strained hamstring
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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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Royals' Kyle Isbel: Sitting out with sore hamstring
Rotowire
Isbel (hamstring) is not in the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Mariners.
Isbel had to exit Wednesday's contest with left hamstring soreness, so it's no surprise he's sitting out Thursday's matinee. Whether Isbel will require a stint on the 10-day injured list is unclear. Mike Yastrzemski will shift over to center field for the Royals and will be flanked by Adam Frazier in left field and Jac Caglianone in right field in the series finale.
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Royals' Kyle Isbel: Idle against right-hander
Rotowire
Isbel is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies.
The Royals are facing off against a righty (Aaron Nola) in the series finale, but the left-handed-hitting Isbel will receive a day off nonetheless after he had started in each of Kansas City's last 12 games. Mike Yastrzemski will spell Isbel in center field.
