Royals Rumblings - News for May 14, 2025

John Schreiber giveth and John Schreiber taketh away.

David Lesky looks at the Kansas City Royals’ Monday win and wonders if second baseman Michael Massey has turned a corner.

Based on the metrics, it’s pretty much what he “should” be doing. He has an xBA of .283 and an xSLG of .443, so he’s overperforming on the slug just a bit. His hard-hit rate is still just 36.8 percent, but he’s barreled a few more balls than we saw in April. The numbers I just gave you were .224, .309 and 30.4 percent in April, so things have turned significantly as the calendar shifted. It’s only 10 games, so I don’t think Massey is out of the woods yet, but he’s quietly had a strong month of May so far and with his defense at second base (I’m getting there), he gets a bit of a longer leash. That said, he’s expected to be a part of the middle of the order as the guy hitting sixth most nights, so he needs to produce, and he has been for a couple of weeks now.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred removed several deceased players, notably Pete Rose, from the league’s permanently ineligible list.

“Obviously, a person no longer with us cannot represent a threat to the integrity of the game,” Manfred wrote in a letter to attorney Jeffrey M. Lenkov, who petitioned for Rose’s removal from the list Jan. 8. “Moreover, it is hard to conceive of a penalty that has more deterrent effect than one that lasts a lifetime with no reprieve. “Therefore, I have concluded that permanent ineligibility ends upon the passing of the disciplined individual, and Mr. Rose will be removed from the permanently ineligible list.”

Jaylon Thompson has all the details regarding pitcher Noah Murdock returning to the Royals organization after a short stay with the Athletics. [$]

Murdock, 26, was selected fourth overall in the 2025 Rule 5 Draft. Murdock, a pitcher, made his MLB debut with the Athletics earlier this season. In 14 games, Murdock posted a 13.24 ERA while surrendering 25 runs in 17 innings. The Athletics sent $100,000 to the Royals in exchange for Murdock in December. Last week, Murdock was designated for assignment. Murdock cleared outright waivers and was offered back to the Royals, per MLB rules. KC agreed to reacquire Murdock. The club sent $50,000 to the Athletics and assigned him to Triple-A Omaha.

Thompson also has more on an excellent double play from Monday night’s series-opening victory. [$]

“It’s one of the things we work on with (infield coach Jose Alguacil) and (bench coach Paul Hoover),” Massey said. “It’s playing fast and being able to play on time. You know ... knowing what pitch is coming, you kind of anticipate where the hitter is going to hit it based on the swing. So I had a decent idea of where it might go.” The baseball went toward Massey’s glove. He snared it and made a flip to shortstop Maikel Garcia flashing across the second base bag. Garcia proceeded to make an accurate throw to first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino to complete the play.

Bleacher Report's Tim Kelly has shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. ranked second in their updated MVP power rankings, only trailing New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge.

“The bad news for Witt is he may be headed for a similar fate in 2025. The good news for him and the Royals is that Witt is hitting .323 with an MLB-best 17 doubles. He’s also stolen 14 bases, has a .920 OPS and a 2.6 WAR, which is higher than any position player in the NL. If Judge gets hurt or slips up in any way, Witt will become the immediate favorite to win AL MVP. If not, he’s still producing at a Hall of Fame caliber, and that may very well lead the Royals to their second straight playoff appearance.”

Royals starter Cole Ragans revealed his starting-day superstition.

The 27-year-old righty was on the “Up and Adams Show” with host Kay Adams when he revealed he wears flashier boots every time he starts. “I don’t know how it came about. I’ve always kind of liked boots, and then the older I’ve gotten, I’ve started adding to my collection of boots and getting a little bit more exotic,” Ragans said. “It just turned into start day, I like to dress a little nicer and I have a few pair of boots that I wear.”

On the stadium front, legislator Maggie Nurrenbern told Megan Abundis it is “Clay County or bust” for the Royals’ future in Missouri.

“I think the team, quite frankly, has made it very clear that it is the Clay County site or they will leave the state of Missouri,” Nurrenbern said Monday.

Watch the full report below.

The Missouri House of Representatives passed an amendment that seems like a last-ditch effort to keep the Royals and Kansas City Chiefs in the state.

Behind the backing of Governor Mike Kehoe, lawmakers introduced an amendment to Senate Bill 80 that could have half the cost of stadium projects for the two teams be covered by bonds and additional aid. The Missouri House approved the governor’s Hail Mary plan on Tuesday afternoon by a 103-42 margin. “These are Missouri teams,” said Rep. Chris Brown (R-Kansas City). “They need to stay in Missouri.”

Will an expected travel ban affect foreign baseball players coming to, or even leaving, the United States?

Former Royals All-Star Whit Merrifield gave his two cents on the Rafael Devers-Boston Red Sox situation.

David Schoenfield has everything you need to know since Rose, the 1919 Chicago Black Sox, and other formerly banned personnel will be Hall of Fame eligible soon.

CBS Sports’ Matt Snyder said Manfred “was wrong to reinstate Pete Rose.”

Lance Brozdowski evaluates Chicago Cubs prospect Cade Horton’s MLB debut and a struggle AL Central rival starter.

Down on the Farm’s minor-league data update shows just how hot Jac Caglianone has been.

Los Angeles Dodgers legend Clayton Kershaw will reportedly make his season debut Saturday against the Los Angeles Angels.

Former Detroit Tigers closer Jason Foley has season-ending shoulder surgery, one year after notching 28 saves.

Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes will play for Team USA in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.

The Cleveland Guardians placed starter Ben Lively on the 15-day IL due to a strained right flexor tendon.

The Indiana Pacers eliminated the Cleveland Cavaliers in five games, pushing the Pacers to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Reigning WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson is ready to take the Las Vegas Aces back to the mountain top.

NHL suspended Florida Panthers vice chairman Doug Cifu after his back-and-forth with Toronto Maple Leafs fans.

Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum will miss the rest of the NBA playoffs after undergoing surgery Tuesday to repair a ruptured right Achilles tendon.

I guess people can’t just be naked at the Cannes Film Festival anymore? Was that a thing?

Check in on the otters anytime, anywhere.

Today’s song is The American Dream by Cole Redding.