Might 24, 2024; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Kansas Metropolis Royals second base Michael Massey (19) runs across the bases after he hit a three-run dwelling run in opposition to the Tampa Bay Rays throughout the fifth inning at Tropicana Subject. Obligatory Credit score: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports activities The Kansas Metropolis Royals are glad to have Michael Massey again in motion, even when it is solely as a hitter as an alternative of his common function at second base.
The Royals have crushed the visiting Cleveland Guardians twice to open a four-game collection that continues Saturday afternoon.
Massey missed the primary 19 video games of the season as a result of a again damage. He returned to play 29 video games, then sat out 27 extra contests due to a decrease again ligament sprain earlier than returning on Monday.
The third-year participant was hitting .294 earlier than his newest absence. He’s simply 2-for-11 in 4 video games since his return, all because the designated hitter or a pinch hitter with the membership being cautious about returning him to the sector.
“We’ll hearken to him,” Royals supervisor Matt Quatraro stated. “If it is not working, if he would not really feel nicely, then we cannot maintain pushing, as a result of we actually worth having his bat in there.”
Massey, who usually bats fifth behind Salvador Perez, has a .283 common and 6 homers. The Royals personal a 22-11 document when Massey performs, however they’re 24-27 with out him.
When Adam Frazier landed on the injured this week as a result of a proper thumb pressure, Maikel Garcia shifted to second with prospect CJ Alexander introduced up from the minors to play third.
“Maikel’s a extremely good infielder,” Quatraro stated. “He is a shortstop by commerce, in order that’s a extra pure transition than what he did final yr to be taught third. He will certainly play third once more in some unspecified time in the future, however we do not wish to make it a day-to-day factor, backwards and forwards.”
Alexander sat out on Friday after going 0-for-6 in every of his first two main league video games, with rookie infielder Nick Loftin getting the beginning at third. Loftin went 0-for-2 with two walks as Kansas Metropolis gained 10-3, one evening after beating Cleveland 2-1.
The Royals will ship left-hander Cole Ragans (5-5, 3.03 ERA) to the mound on Saturday reverse Guardians right-hander Tanner Bibee (6-2, 3.50).
Ragans has only one win in his previous six begins, and it got here in his most up-to-date look. He struck out 11 in six innings, permitting a run on 4 hits and three walks, whereas beating the Miami Marlins on Monday.
In his solely look in opposition to Cleveland, Ragans took a loss after surrendering 4 runs — three earned — on six singles in 5 innings on Sept. 25, 2022, whereas pitching for the Texas Rangers.
Bibee has made two begins in opposition to the Royals and got here away with no-decisions each occasions regardless of pitching to a 2.70 ERA. Most lately, he allowed three runs — two earned — in five-plus innings with a stroll and 7 strikeouts, vs. Kansas Metropolis on June 6.
Cleveland is 13-3 in video games Bibee has pitched this yr. He gained 4 of his previous six begins, posting a 2.86 ERA with 50 strikeouts in 34 2/3 innings throughout that span. Bibee gained in Baltimore on Monday, yielding two runs — one earned — in six innings whereas hanging out seven.
“Tanner was excellent once more,” Guardians supervisor Stephen Vogt stated. “He is doing this time and time once more. He stored making pitches and grinding by way of six. Tanner picked us up and turned in a top quality begin.”
Cleveland’s pitching employees might quickly get a lift. The membership signed left-hander Matthew Boyd to a serious league deal — pending a bodily — and right-hander Gavin Williams (proper elbow discomfort) may return from the injured listing.
Boyd required Tommy John surgical procedure after he made 15 begins for Detroit final yr. He owns a 4.94 ERA over components of 9 seasons, however accidents have restricted him to a complete of 163 innings because the begin of the 2021 marketing campaign.
Williams made 16 begins as a rookie in 2023 and completed with a 3.29 ERA. He has been on the 60-day injured listing since spring coaching, however he accomplished his sixth rehab begin on Thursday, hanging out six in 4 innings of one-run ball for Triple-A Columbus.
“He made it by way of 80-something pitches,” Vogt stated. “Clearly, we’ll have a call to make within the subsequent few days. We’re nonetheless sorting by way of what we’ll do.”
–Subject Stage Media
