Weekend Rumblings - News for April 20, 2024

To be blunt, the Royals are playing well!

Before the game, Jaylon Thompson wrote about the return of Michael Massey.

“He is still one of those players in a developmental phase in the major leagues, but we believe in his bat,” Royals general manager J.J. Picollo said. “He can provide a spark. He’s got some power. He does a good job defensively as well. ... We just want him to be himself. We like what he did last year.”

Anne Rogers wrote about his injury.

Massey had to be patient with his recovery, knowing if he pushed it and came back early, the lower back problems — which he’s dealt with before in his career — might return. When he felt soreness on April 5 at Northwest Arkansas, he took a few days off before joining Omaha to let the discomfort subside.

“Timing of it was certainly not great, but I’ve dealt with it before,” Massey said. “Trainers did a great job — feel like everyone knew exactly what it was, and just had to stick with the process of it, be patient. I feel like I’m 100% — ready to go.”

She also has this note on why Drew Waters was pulled from a game this week.

Robert Orr at Baseball Prospectus writes that the Royals are hitting like kings.

I want to highlight the last two names from the middle of their lineup: MJ Melendez and Nelson Velázquez. These are the two players who will make-or-break the Royals season offensively. Melendez is an extremely modern hitter: He has above-average raw power, doesn’t chase, and launches nearly everything he hits into the air, often to his pull side. That approach and swing naturally lends itself to some swing-and-miss, and he’s got that, too.

Pete Grathoff writes about what former GM Dan O’Dowd thinks of the Royals.

“For me,” O’Dowd said earlier this week during a broadcast, “one of the things you had to see from the Royals going into this season: Did the players who struggled last year begin to bounce back to form this year, and then does your best player, your superstar, take that next step in his career?

“And I think it’s check, check, check all the way up and down the line. So if you’re a Royals fan, and if you’re the front office, I think you really encouraged.”

David Lesky looks way ahead to the trade deadline.

Royals Weekly takes a closer look at pitching prospect Noah Cameron.

Former Royals first baseman Dave McCarty dies of a cardiac event at age 54.

Braves catcher Travis d’Arnaud smacks three home runs, including a grand slam.

The Diamondbacks activate pitcher Jordan Montgomery.

Red Sox pitcher Cam Booser had a wild journey to the big leagues.

How Whitey Herzog was ahead of his time.

Who’s the worst team in baseball?

The FAA is investigating an incident where a Colorado Rockies coach was allowed in the cockpit of a plane.

The Mets unveil their City Connect jerseys.

Florida’s Jac Caglianone homers in his ninth consecutive game, tying a NCAA Division I record.

The six traps every NFL GM should avoid.

Who are the players to watch in the Stanley Cup playoffs?

Did Taylor Swift diss some Chiefs players on her new album?

Marijuana stocks go up on hopes of cannabis reform.

Dick Van Dyke becomes the oldest Emmy nominee ever at age 98.

Your song of the day is Willie Nelson with Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die.