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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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: 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: Rare day off versus righty
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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
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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.
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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.
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Royals' Kyle Isbel: Getting rest Sunday
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Isbel is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox.
Isbel will get a breather after starting the last three contests and going 2-for-8 with a pair of walks. John Rave will replace Isbel in center field and bat eighth Sunday.
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Royals' Kyle Isbel: Resting against lefty
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Isbel is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Pirates.
The left-handed-hitting Isbel will take a seat for the series finale while the Pirates send left-hander Bailey Falter to the bump. Tyler Tolbert will pick up the start in center field in place of Isbel, who has gone 3-for-24 with two runs and two RBI through his first seven games of July.
