Royals Rumblings - News for March 25, 2025

Bobby Baseball is the Major League Play Ball Ambassador!

Anne Rogers writes more about Vinnie Pasquantino’s injury and a potential stint on the Injured List.

“We haven’t talked about that, him and I, but I think he would understand the balance there,” manager Matt Quatraro said. “But that being said, it doesn’t mean he has to play all six games right out of the gate. If we find a day that’s good to bring him off the bench or just give him a day’s rest, and we can work it that way, we’ll try to consider that as well.

“I feel pretty good. He feels pretty good. We think it’s one of those things where he’s not a speed guy, so if he can tolerate baseball activity tomorrow, that would be a big step forward.”

The Royals place three pitchers on the Injured List.

David Lesky reacts to the Mark Canha addition to the roster.

The Royals simply needed some additional help against left-handed pitching and Canha has been effective against them. He actually has next to no platoon split in his career, but has hit .244/.335/.428 against lefties throughout his career, which is plenty good to spell MJ Melendez. He hit .275/.380/.394 against them last season and .264/.361/.464 against them in 2023, so even if he does fall off some against righties, he can still be a very useful platoon bat, which is exactly what the Royals had been looking for. It’s why they offered Adam Duvall a contract a few weeks ago. I think Duvall could have made a bit more of a difference against lefties than Canha can, but Canha will absolutely help the cause.

Craig Brown writes about how the bullpen shakes out.

I think it says something that Hernández almost made it through waivers. Waiver claims are made in reverse order of winning percentage and the Phillies finished last year with 95 wins, second only to the Dodgers. I don’t think he will be finishing the season in Philly.

I get the fact there will be some unhappiness around Chris Stratton opening the year in the bullpen with the Royals, but again…It’s a numbers and money game. Stratton exercised his player option and will earn $4.5 million in 2025. The Royals will want to see if they can get anything out of him, but I expect the leash to be short.

Bobby Witt Jr. has been named the first-ever Major League Play Ball Ambassador.

“Bobby Witt Jr. embodies everything Play Ball is all about — passion, energy, and a love for the game,” Tony Reagins, MLB Chief Baseball Development Officer, said. “His enthusiasm for baseball and desire to reach the sport’s next generation make him the perfect choice to be MLB’s first Major League Play Ball Ambassador. As Play Ball turns 10 years old, the excitement of Bobby Witt Jr.’s involvement positions us to have the most impactful year of Play Ball to date.”

Fangraphs ranks the Royals’ bullpen #14 in baseball.

The Royals have a contending team’s backend here, with new addition Carlos Estévez signing a two-year, $22 million deal coming off a career-best ERA (2.45) and walk rate (5.7%) in 2024, and two years removed from a career-high strikeout rate (27.8%). He has an upper-90s heater and an upper-80s slider, a pretty standard late-inning mix.

The Royals invited a social media star known for mowing lawns for free in Wichita out to the K for Opening Day.

Pete Grathoff writes about what you need to know about parking at the K this year.

The Yankees sign former Royals pitcher Ryan Yarbrough.

The Rangers place pitcher Dane Dunning on waivers.

Red Sox prospect Kristian Campbell makes the Opening Day roster.

Tigers outfielder Wenceel Perez will miss a month with a back injury.

Phillies pitcher Matt Strahm injures his fingernail packing a suitcase.

Athletics players will all wear #24 on Opening Day in honor of Rickey Henderson.

Ten big questions for the 2025 season.

What its like having a one-game MLB career.

A look at the hitters who made it to the big leagues the quickest after being drafted.

The Pohlad family wants $1.7 billion for the Twins to help cover $425 million in debts.

USC star JuJu Watkins is carried off the court with an injury minutes into the second-round matchup against Mississippi State.

Chiefs receiver Xavier Worthy sues his ex-fiancee, alleging extortion and abuse.

Why is U.S. child care so expensive?

Genetic testing firm 23andMe files for bankruptcy.

The 25 best reality stars from the 2000s.

Your song of the day is Japanese Breakfast with Savage Good Boy.