Weekend Rumblings - News for May 3, 2025

Time for Bobby Witt Jr. to start a new hitting streak.

Michael Wacha was sharp in Friday’s loss, writes Paige Leckie at MLB.com.

“He was outstanding,” manager Matt Quatraro said. “His command was great. Stuff looked really good. Pitched in, pitched out, moved the ball around really well. Getting into the seventh inning without allowing a run against that lineup is pretty impressive.”

Bobby Witt’s hitting streak ends at a career-high 22 games.

Jaylon Thompson writes that Michael Massey finally got his bat going.

It was Massey’s first extra-base hit since April 6. He had been 11-for-67 in his previous 20 games. “Just trying to be flatter through the (strike) zone,” Massey said of his adjustments.

“And, I go back and look, I think the barrel angle in April was a little tipped and was probably causing more of a loopy swing to the zone and missing some of those fastballs up. I’ve just got to keep working and keep going.”

He also writes about Salvador Perez’s hip injury.

“Hopefully we can stay away from him for a couple days catching-wise,” Quatraro said.

Quatraro didn’t rule out Perez’s availability off the bench. He could potentially pinch-hit, but allowing him to rest will be the emphasis.

“I think he was aware of how sore he was leaving the game yesterday,” Quatraro said. “And he was very happy things weren’t worse when he got the MRI. Again, it’s a lot because it’s Salvy, but it’s day-to-day and it’s really not that big of a deal.”

David Schoenfield at ESPN hands out first-month grades to each team.

Kansas City Royals: C

Outside of Bobby Witt Jr. and Maikel Garcia, they haven’t really hit at all, with a whole host of batters — Vinnie Pasquantino, Michael Massey, MJ Melendez and Hunter Renfroe — all struggling. That’s supposed to be the middle of the KC lineup and all four of those guys are hitting under .200. Welcome to baseball in 2025, where it seems every lineup has four players hitting under .200. The bullpen has pitched much better than last season and the rotation has once again been a strength. Ace Cole Ragans is 1-1 with a 4.40 ERA, the worst ERA of the starters, but his peripherals remain outstanding, so he’ll start winning some games — if the Royals can score some runs behind him.

Kyle Wright worked four innings in a rehab start for Northwest Arkansas.

“I’ve been able to work on a lot of things that’ve made me feel good in games,” Wright said. “I feel like I’m out there competing, I don’t think about my shoulder at all, and I haven’t been able to do that in a long time. Getting into the game and throwing more intense pitches, I think it’ll be good for me [to] see how my shoulder bounces back from that.

“So far, we’ve done a really nice job of that, and this will be another good test for it. Hopefully we just keep going in the right direction.”

Bobby Witt Jr. and Kris Bubic earn April honors from the Royals.

Vahe Gregorian writes about Salvy’s life-changing trip to Kenya.

The Royals released outfielder Nick Gordon from Omaha.

Tempers flare between Tarik Skubal and the Angels in a bench-clearing incident.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. lands on the Injured List.

Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas suffers a major knee injury.

Orioles GM Mike Elias takes responsibility for the poor pitching.

Astros pitcher Lance McCullers will make his first appearance since 2022.

Executives vote on the biggest surprises and disappointments of the season.

How a blowout loss to the Royals changed things for Astros pitcher Hunter Brown.

How is Giants outfielder Jung Ho Lee breaking out this season?

The Athletic has the story of how MLB made a change that players say changed the strike zone. [$]

Gregg Popovich retires as coach of the San Antonio Spurs, and will assume front office duties.

A look back at cheating allegations made at horse owner Bob Baffert on the eve of the Kentucky Derby.

Why do mosquitoes bite some people more than others?

A new show may explain why Disney villains are bad.

The oral history of Danny McBride.

Your song of the day is The Black Crowes with Hard to Handle.