Royals Rumblings - News for May 19, 2025

Can the 2025 Royals replicate the success of 10 years ago?

Drew Waters had the game-winning hit on Sunday.

“It felt great, obviously,” Waters said. “You know anytime you come into a game, especially a tie game, at least the opportunities I’ve had to pinch-hit, I try to be aggressive and that’s kind of my game. I like to be aggressive and I like to be aggressive early. I got a fastball to hit and I was able to do something with it.”

The Royals designated Chris Stratton for assignment.

“Strat was the consummate pro,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “He did a lot for us, not only on the field but behind the scenes in stabilizing the bullpen. Last year, we talked a lot about that leadership. But at this point, we felt it was the right thing to get Bowlan up here and get him some exposure.”

Royals fans were not upset about Willson Contreras’ slide into Jonathan India.

“I’ve been slid into (before),” India said, “but I’ve been fine. But that was pretty hard. But it’s baseball.” India said there was no swelling in the knee and he expects to play Sunday. Contreras appeared to say something to India after the play.

“I think he was trying to apologize, but I was just worried about my knee in the moment. But I think he was apologizing.”

India was unable to play on Sunday.

“Just some knee soreness from the collision last night,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said.

“Probably could’ve fought through it but this was tentative enough that (we) didn’t want to risk something.”

Avery Osen writes that Noah Cameron pitching in front of a big crowd at the K was a dream come true.

“It was good, first off you just can’t make it up being here,” Cameron said. “It wasn’t the debut but it was still more special than Tampa with all the family and friends and everybody here, it was amazing. Obviously I wish we could’ve got the win, but that’s baseball.”

Jarred Greenspan writes about the emergence of Kris Bubic.

“I don’t consider myself the same pitcher now [from] those first three seasons,” Bubic said after an eight-strikeout performance against the Orioles on April 6. “My pitch mix is a lot different. My delivery is a lot different. … It’s wild to think about how it’s all come together.”

Sam McDowell looks at parallels between the 2015 championship team and this year’s squad.

“I think everything goes back to that wild card game,” third baseman Mike Moustakas said.

“After that game, I felt like we knew that we belonged.

“Once you know you belong in the big leagues and you know you can win, it’s a pretty special feeling.” They had talent. They had belief. And after 2014, they had an edge.

“With Hos and Moose, as soon as the umpire says, ‘Play ball,’” Moore said, “they’ll kill you.”

Pete Grathoff writes about the lasting bond between Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas.

“Our mentality was just so similar. I mean, we both came from very good high school coaches, very good high school teams where winning was the expectation,” said Hosmer, who now co-hosts a podcast with Moustakas. “Like, we didn’t want to be the best player on the worst team. We wanted to be mixed up with the best players just because we wanted to win. So that’s what it felt like when I first talked to Moose, and I’m like, ‘This is everything I’m about.’ So that’s why, I think, just instantly we hit it off.”

The Royals have purchased the contract of former big league pitcher John Gant from the independent Long Island Ducks.

Phillies reliever Jose Alvarado is suspended 80 games for PEDs.

The Dodgers release veteran Chris Taylor.

The Yankees erupt for six runs in the eighth to take the series against the Mets.

The Angels complete a sweep the Dodgers.

The Twins finally end their 13-game winning streak with a loss to the Brewers.

Philadelphia rookie Mick Abel wins his MLB debut over Paul Skenes with nine strikeouts.

Astros pitcher Hayden Wesneski needs Tommy John surgery.

Is there hope for an Orioles turnaround after firing manager Brandon Hyde?

Is Shohei Ohtani too valuable as a hitter to risk pitching again?

The Cubs and Dodgers are interested in Rockies infielder Ryan McMahon.

Gold Glove second baseman Kolten Wong officially retires.

Robert Shwartzman stuns the field to take the pole at the Indy 500.

Liberty upsets #1 Texas A&M to win the regional and advance in the NCAA Softball tournament.

Are meal kits cheaper than getting groceries?

The Who fire drummer Zak Starkey for the second time this month.

The most anticipated movies of this summer.

Your song of the day is Bleachers with Rollercoaster.