Kansas City Royals DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino (thumb) took batting practice at Nationals Park on Thursday before the team's series finale against the Washington Nationals. It's another step in Pasquantino's recovery after suffering a right-thumb injury that will keep him out through the end of the regular season this Sunday. The 26-year-old left-handed slugger needed surgery to fix a fractured right thumb, but it's good to see that he's already swinging a bat over three weeks removed from going under the knife. The Royals must first clinch a wild-card spot in the American League before the Royals will begin discussing whether Pasquantino has a shot to join them if they make a deep playoff run in October. Catcher Salvador Perez has seen more time at first base for KC since Pasquantino's injury, with Freddy Fermin filling in behind the dish.

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen left Wednesday's start versus the Nationals early for what the team is describing as lower body fatigue. The move was precautionary in nature according to the team. The 32-year-old had just been activated off the IL after missing a month with a hamstring strain, so perhaps he's not quite back to full strength. Nevertheless, it will be his last start of the season, finishing with a 7-6 record between his time in Texas and Kansas City, posting a 3.37 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 94 strikeouts in 128 1/3 IP.

Kansas City Royals right-hander Michael Lorenzen (hamstring) will make the start for the team on Wednesday at Nationals Park against the Washington Nationals, with right-hander Alec Marsh moving to the bullpen to close out the 2024 regular season, according to manager Matt Quatraro. Lorenzen will come off the 15-day injured list to make his first start since late August due to a hamstring strain, so don't be surprised if he doesn't go very deep into his start after the long layoff. It is an enticing matchup for fantasy managers still playing for something in the final week of the season. The 32-year-old veteran will be hoping to pick up where he left off after being acquired by the Royals, as he's pitched to a 1.85 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 17 strikeouts and 10 walks in 24 1/3 innings over his first five starts in KC. Lorenzen began the year in Texas.

Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. had a historic evening in Tuesday's 3-1 extra-inning loss to the Tigers. Witt Jr. went 0-for-2 with three walks, a strikeout, and his 30th stolen base of the season. The 24-year-old now has 32 home runs and 30 stolen bases this season, his second consecutive season with at least 30 HR and 30 stolen bases. Only six shortstops in MLB history have ever recorded a 30-30 season and Witt Jr. is now the only shortstop to record multiple 30-30 seasons. He has provided everything for fantasy managers this season, slashing .331/.386/.598 with 123 runs scored and 108 RBI in 671 plate appearances. Witt Jr. has cemented himself as a top fantasy pick for the foreseeable future.

The Kansas City Royals placed right-handed reliever James McArthur (elbow) on the 15-day injured list on Tuesday with a right-elbow sprain and recalled right-hander Steven Cruz from Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move. According to MLB's Anne Rogers, McArthur has a Grade 1 UCL sprain and will be shut down for the next five to seven days, but manager Matt Quatraro said the team is hopeful it's "not a season-ending injury." Right-hander Michael Lorenzen (hamstring) and left-hander William Smith (back) are both scheduled for live batting practice sessions on Saturday, provided they face no setbacks the next few days. The 27-year-old McArthur opened the year as the team's closer but was eventually demoted and had been working in middle relief. McArthur will miss the rest of the regular season, but the Royals hope he can return to help their bullpen if they make the postseason.