MJ Melendez's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Kansas City Royals catcher/outfielder MJ Melendez and shortstop Paul DeJong are starting Saturday's game against the Detroit Tigers on the bench. Both players have been swinging hot bats recently, with Melendez slashing .278/.316/.500 and DeJong slashing .375/.423/.750 in their last seven games. This speaks to the strength and depth of the Royals lineup, as Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez are starting in their places. Still, both or either player could find their way into the game as pinch hitters late.

Kansas City Royals outfielder MJ Melendez (ankle) was activated off the 10-day IL on Sunday and will bat in the six-hole as the Royals play the rubber match of a three-game set against the Chicago Cubs. In a corresponding move, the Royals optioned outfielder Drew Waters to Triple-A Omaha. The 25-year-old hit the IL on July 16 due to a sprained ankle and did not need too much time to recover. Melendez sits with a .195/.260/.392 line with 11 home runs and two stolen bases through 85 games this season. He could be worth a look in DFS this afternoon as he will face Chicago right-hander Javier Assad, who has posted a hefty 6.40 ERA and 2.40 WHIP in his past three starts.

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.