Kansas City Royals DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

Kansas City Royals outfielder Hunter Renfroe (back) has been dealing with some lower-back tightness in camp, according to manager Matt Quatraro, which is why he hasn't appeared in a Cactus League game yet. Renfroe will take part in the team's workout on Monday, though, and he's scheduled to make his spring training debut on Wednesday. Quatraro said there is no concern about Renfroe's availability. The 32-year-old right-handed-hitting veteran should be fine for Opening Day in late March and is projected to serve as Kansas City's starting right fielder in 2024 after signing a two-year deal with the club in free agency in the offseason. Renfroe didn't square the ball up often in 2023 despite managing to hit 20 home runs in 140 games. Outside of being a decent source of power, Renfroe shouldn't excite fantasy managers all that much in mixed leagues at this stage.

Kansas City Royals reliever Josh Taylor (back) was listed among the team's available pitchers prior to Saturday's Spring Training game. He ultimately entered the game and pitched one inning, allowing two hits but escaping after just five total pitches. All of this is a good sign for the Royals and their left-handed hurler after he underwent season-ending lower back surgery last summer. Taylor struggled to the tune of an 8.15 ERA through limited action last year, but he has a fresh slate now that he's fully healthy heading into 2024.

Kansas City Royals left-hander Kris Bubic has been moved to the 60-day injured list as he continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery last April. The 26-year-old was limited to just three starts before undergoing the knife last season, tossing a 3.94 ERA in that time. Bubic recently threw his first bullpen session of the spring and is likely to return to the roster somewhere in the middle of the season. He is the owner of a career 4.85 ERA across 70 appearances, 60 of which were starts. The Royals added Michael Wacha and Seth Lugo to their rotation this offseason while the emerging Cole Ragans should headline the group. Even with a healthy return, his 20.2% K% leaves him well off the fantasy radar for the 2024 campaign.

Kansas City Royals reliever Carlos Hernandez (shoulder) is dealing with right shoulder soreness and has not thrown off a mound in two weeks, president of baseball operations J.J. Picollo told MLB.com's Anne Rogers on Friday. With that said, the expectation is that Hernandez will throw his first bullpen soon and should get six or seven live innings before Opening Day. Barring anything unforeseen, and assuming Hernandez recovers smoothly, the 26-year-old should make Kansas City's Opening Day roster. He delivered 70 innings last season, totaling 9.90 K/9, 3.00 BB/9, and a 4.28 FIP.

Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino (shoulder) is playing first base and batting second in the team's Cactus League opener on Friday versus the Texas Rangers. It's good news after Pasquantino had season-ending shoulder surgery last June. The power-hitting left-hander played in only 61 games in his second year in the majors due to his shoulder injury and went 57-for-231 (.247) with nine home runs, 26 RBI and 24 runs scored after hitting .295/.383/.450 with an .832 OPS, 10 home runs and 26 RBI in 72 games in his rookie campaign in 2022. He was a disappointment up until his injury last year, but when healthy, Pasquantino has the ability to be a four-category producer for fantasy managers, albeit without much protection around him in Kansas City.