This page may contain affiliate links. If you click and sign up, make a deposit, or place a wager, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Estevez (0-1) took the loss and a blown save Saturday against Atlanta, allowing six runs on four hits and two walks in one-third of an inning.
It was a nightmarish season debut for Estevez, who failed to protect a two-run lead in the ninth inning. After showing diminished velocity during spring training, the right-hander's fastball topped out at 92.3 mph Saturday over his 23 pitches, which appears to be a major concern after he averaged 95.9 mph on his four-seamer last season. There's still time for him to find his form as Kansas City's closer, but the Royals have capable alternatives in Lucas Erceg and Matt Strahm if Estevez can't steady the ship.
Wacha took a no-decision Saturday against Atlanta, allowing no runs on three hits and one walk in six innings. He struck out seven.
Wacha performed about as well as one could have expected in his season debut against a tough Atlanta lineup, scattering three singles across six shutout frames. The veteran right-hander had also been in line for the win, but Carlos Estevez imploded in the ninth inning by yielding six runs and blowing the save. Wacha threw 80 pitches Saturday, so he'll be looking to increase his pitch count in his next scheduled start at home versus the Brewers.
... See More... See Less
Royals' Cole Ragans: Hit hard in Atlanta
Rotowire
Ragans (0-1) took the loss Friday, giving up four runs on six hits -- including three home runs -- and four walks over four innings as the Royals were downed 6-0 by Atlanta. He struck out five.
It was a rough beginning to 2026 for the southpaw, as Ragans got taken deep by Ozzie Albies, Drake Baldwin and Michael Harris before getting the hook after 90 pitches (52 strikes). Ragans' first priority this season is just to stay healthy after he managed only 13 starts last season, and on that front his workload was encouraging, even if his command and control aren't yet in peak form. Ragans will look to bounce back in his next start, which is scheduled to come at home next week against the Twins.
Caglianone isn't part of the starting lineup for Friday's game against Atlanta.
The lefty-hitting Caglianone will dodge a matchup with Chris Sale on Friday, allowing Starling Marte to draw the start in right field. Caglianone and Marte are expected to platoon to begin the season, but Caglianone could earn looks against left-handed pitching with a strong start.
... See More... See Less
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.
Royals' Eli Morgan: Optioned after getting 40-man spot
Rotowire
The Royals selected Morgan's contract from Triple-A Omaha and optioned him to Omaha on Wednesday.
The Royals will give Morgan a spot on the 40-man roster -- presumably to keep him from opting out of his minor-league deal -- but will stash him in the minors. Morgan had a rough 2025 season with the Cubs, but he posted a 3.27 ERA from 2022-to-2024 out of the Guardians' bullpen.
... See More... See Less
Royals' James McArthur: Out with elbow inflammation
Rotowire
The Royals placed McArthur (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.
McArthur had surgery last offseason to insert two screws into his right elbow to help stabilize a stress fracture and then had another procedure in July to remove the screws after they had caused an allergic reaction. The Royals are calling his injury elbow inflammation, and it's unclear when he might be ready for his season debut.
... See More... See Less
Royals' Michael Massey: Sent to IL with strained calf
Rotowire
The Royals placed Massey (calf) on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.
Massey has been ramping things back up, and because the IL move is backdated to Sunday, he will be eligible for activation April 1. It's unclear whether he'll be ready to return from his calf strain by that time, but his absence is projected to be brief.
... See More... See Less
Royals' Stephen Kolek: Out with strained oblique
Rotowire
The Royals placed Kolek (oblique) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.
Kolek strained his left oblique in late February. He's been throwing off a mound and appears close to returning to game action, though the righty could be assigned to Triple-A Omaha rather than the major-league club once he's healthy.
... See More... See Less
Royals' Drew Waters: Booted from 40-man roster
Rotowire
The Royals designated Waters for assignment Wednesday.
Waters failed to crack the Opening Day roster and doesn't have minor-league options remaining, so he's headed to waivers. The 27-year-old outfielder sports a career .234/.300/.369 batting line and 31.1 percent strikeout rate over parts of four major-league seasons.
... See More... See Less
Royals' Michael Wacha: Tosses five frames in exhibition
Rotowire
Wacha allowed two runs on four hits and three walks across five innings in Monday's exhibition loss to the Rangers. He struck out five.
In his final outing before the start of the regular season, Wacha turned in his longest appearance of the spring, tossing five serviceable frames, with the primary blemish coming on a Brandon Nimmo two-run homer in the third inning. It wasn't a stellar spring for the right-hander, who posted a 6.89 ERA and 1.72 WHIP with a 21:10 K:BB across 15.2 innings, though there shouldn't be too much stock put into the preseason performances of an established veteran. Coming off a 2025 campaign in which he registered a 3.86 ERA and 1.22 WHIP across 31 starts and 172.2 innings -- his fourth consecutive season with an ERA below 4.00 -- Wacha will aim to remain a steady presence in the Royals' rotation entering 2026.
Strahm (leg) tossed a perfect inning of relief Friday in the Royals' 5-2 loss to the Giants in Cactus League play.
Strahm had been lifted from his previous spring appearance Wednesday after being struck in the left leg by a line drive, but he suffered nothing more than a contusion and felt well enough to get back on the mound two days later. The 34-year-old lefty is ready to go for Opening Day as he kicks off his second stint in the Royals organization after being acquired from the Phillies over the winter. Strahm is expected to be a key part of the bridge to closer Carlos Estevez.
Kolek (oblique) threw a bullpen Saturday and could pitch in minor-league games next week, MLB.com reports.
Kolek is gradually building back up as he recovers from the Grade 1 left oblique strain he suffered Feb. 25, logging bullpen sessions Wednesday and Saturday. The right-hander is making progress, but it remains likely he opens the season on the injured list before reporting to Triple-A Omaha.
... See More... See Less
Royals' Michael Massey: Iffy for Opening Day
Rotowire
Massey (calf) will not travel to Texas for Monday and Tuesday's exhibitions and will instead remain in Arizona to see action in minor-league games and test his running ability, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Massey is dealing with a low-grade left calf strain that has kept him out of Cactus League games since March 8. The 28-year-old has been able to take at-bats in back-field games, but his status for Opening Day hinges on his ability to run at 100 percent. If Massey is unavailable for the start of the regular season, Nick Loftin and Drew Waters are strong candidates to make the 26-man roster instead, with Tyler Tolbert also in the mix.
0:27
0:28
1:29
1:47
11:22
10:07
0:36
7:25
7:12
1:43
0:48
0:45
0:45
10:47
0:58
10:00
0:48
1:53
1:30
12:05
