Kansas City Royals DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

Kansas City Royals infielder Maikel Garcia is out of the starting lineup ahead of Friday's game against the Chicago Cubs. Fantasy managers shouldn't worry as this appears to be a routine rest day for Garcia. In his absence, Nick Loftin will cover third base and bat seventh versus right-hander Kyle Hendricks on Friday. This is a favorable matchup for Loftin but he doesn't offer great upside with the bat. Fantasy managers should be able to find better production elsewhere.

Kansas City Royals outfielder MJ Melendez (ankle) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment on Thursday night with Double-A Northwest Arkansas. Melendez is getting closer to a return to the Royals lineup after spraining his ankle on July 14. If the 25-year-old can avoid a setback with his ankle at Northwest Arkansas, there's a chance he could be back for the weekend series against the visiting Chicago Cubs. Before getting hurt just before the All-Star break, Melendez was serving as Kansas City's starting left fielder. The former second-round selection in 2017 is hitting just .196 (52-for-265) on the year with 11 home runs, 29 RBI and 26 runs scored in 85 games, making him useful as outfield depth in AL-only leagues for his power.

Kansas City Royals catcher/first baseman/designated hitter Salvador Perez continued his power-resurgent season in Monday's 10-4 win over the Diamondbacks. Perez went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run and three RBI. The 34-year-old smashed a third-inning Yilber Diaz fastball to straightaway center field for his 18th long ball of the season. The veteran is having a fantasy season more similar to those earlier in his career, slashing .279/.341/.475 with 41 runs scored and 66 RBI in 396 plate appearances. He has managed to still get plenty of at-bats despite his age by cycling between first base and DH when not catching.

Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. continued his outstanding offensive season in Monday's 10-4 win over the Diamondbacks. Witt Jr. went 3-for-4 with a double, a triple, and a three-run home run. He was also hit by a pitch. The 24-year-old clobbered a fourth-inning Miguel Castro sinker into the center-field seats to put the Royals up by two. Witt Jr. has managed to exceed his very high fantasy expectations so far, slashing .341/.387/.592 with 18 HR, 82 runs scored, 69 RBI, and 22 stolen bases in 442 plate appearances. His batting average is just two points behind Steven Kwan's for the best in baseball, and the Royals' strong overall offensive performance has helped Witt Jr. perform as a true five-category fantasy threat.

Kansas City Royals outfielder MJ Melendez (ankle) is recovering in Kansas City and has already started hitting in the cages and doing some defensive drills on the field. Melendez's timeline to return from a sprained left ankle could be 10 days to two weeks, putting him in line to rejoin the Royals by either the end of July or early August. Whether or not a minor-league rehab assignment is required will be determined later this week after seeing how the 25-year-old former top prospect progresses. Veteran utility man Adam Frazier has taken on an everyday role as in left field as KC's primary leadoff man in Melendez's absence, but his fantasy appeal remains minimal while batting 35-for-175 (.200) with three home runs, 13 RBI, 20 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 65 games.