Kansas City Royals outfielder Dairon Blanco (Achilles) received a platelet-rich plasma injection on April 4 after his Achilles flared up on March 30. Blanco then ran the bases for the first time last Friday, and he could start a minor-league rehab assignment this week. The 32-year-old veteran is attempting to return from right-Achilles tendinopathy, which landed him on the 10-day injured list back on March 31. If he is able to start a rehab assignment this week and avoid setbacks, he could return to the Royals next week. Blanco was able to take part in the team's pre-game activities on Wednesday and is getting close to his return to the big leagues. When he's ready, the Cuban outfielder will be a bench option for the Royals most nights and will mainly be useful in deeper fantasy leagues for his speed -- he stole a combined 55 bases in 2023 and 2024.

Further imaging on Kansas City Royals left-hander Sam Long (elbow) on April 14 showed inflammation but no structural damage, and he was able to begin a throwing progression last Thursday. Long was placed on the 15-day injured list on April 13 with left-elbow inflammation and is expected to return in May. Whenever the 29-year-old southpaw begins throwing off a mound, he probably won't be far off from a minor-league rehab assignment. In his first seven outings of the 2025 season, Long struggled to the tune of a 12.86 ERA and 2.43 WHIP, with his elbow issues likely playing a big role. He was much better last year in his first season with KC, posting a 3.16 ERA, a 1.19 WHIP, a save, a career-high 44 strikeouts and 17 walks in 42 2/3 relief innings. Long isn't on the fantasy radar, even when he's fully healthy.

Kansas City Royals right-hander Alec Marsh (shoulder) had a setback in his recovery from right-shoulder soreness on April 3 but started a throwing progression last Friday and is back in Arizona for his rehab program. The 26-year-old was placed on the 15-day injured list back on March 24 and still probably has another month to go to build up his arm before being activated for his 2025 season debut. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues shouldn't expect Marsh to be a starting-rotation option for the Royals until June. The former second-round pick in 2019 out of Arizona State University went 9-9 with a 4.53 ERA (4.34 FIP) and 1.26 WHIP with 123 strikeouts and 39 walks in 129 innings over 26 outings (25 starts) in 2024 in his second year in the league. Marsh struggled down the stretch last year and was sent to the minors before also spending time in the bullpen.

Kansas City Royals right-handed reliever Hunter Harvey (shoulder) started a throwing progression last Wednesday and has increased his workload since then. He could be headed for a minor-league rehab assignment this week. The 30-year-old reliever was placed on the 15-day injured list on April 11 (retroactive to April 8) with a right teres-major strain. Barring a setback once he starts his rehab assignment this week, Harvey could be back in the Royals' bullpen by early next week. Before injuring his shoulder, Harvey had tossed 5 1/3 scoreless innings while allowing one hit, walking none and striking out seven. When he's ready to rejoin the big-league bullpen, he'll return to being a late-inning setup man for closer Carlos Estevez. In fantasy leagues that reward points for holds, Harvey will be in play when he's back in the big leagues.

Kansas City Royals right-hander Kyle Wright (hamstring, shoulder) threw four innings at extended spring training on Saturday. Wright missed all of the 2024 season due to right-shoulder surgery before suffering a hamstring strain on Feb. 18 during the start of spring training. He was placed on the 15-day injured list on March 24 and isn't expected to return to the big leagues until sometime in May. Because the 29-year-old didn't pitch at all in 2024, the Royals will surely be cautious in bringing him back, and Wright could be on an innings limit when he eventually does make his Royals debut. Outside of winning 21 games with a 3.19 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 2022 with the Atlanta Braves, Wright didn't throw more than 38 innings at the big-league level in Atlanta since debuting in 2018. It remains to be seen if Wright will even have a shot at a starting rotation spot for the Royals.