Kansas City Royals Roster
- AL Central
- Stadium
- Kauffman Stadium
The Kansas City Royals have non-tendered pitcher Richard Lovelady, but he is expected to rejoin the team with a minor-league deal. The left-handed Lovelady appears unlikely to pitch in 2022 after having his 2021 seasoned cut short by Tommy John surgery. Before sustaining the injury, he was performing quite well, putting up a 3.48 ERA in 20 2/3 innings in relief. This move saves the Royals a 40-man roster spot while Lovelady recovers, and if all goes well he is expected to once again be a bullpen option in 2023.
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Kyle Zimmer was designated for assignment Friday as the team made room for seven players on the 40-man roster. The club added pitchers Jonathan Bowlan, Collin Snider, and Nathan Webb, catcher MJ Melendez, and infielders Maikel Garcia and Nick Pratto from their own system and claimed infielder Lucius Fox from the Orioles. Zimmer appeared in 52 games for the Royals in 2021, starting two games and recording a 4-1 record with two saves and a 4.83 ERA. Of the players added, Melendez and Pratto are the highest profile, as each is a top-five prospect in the system and both have the potential to make an impact at the major-league level in 2022. Neither needs to be drafted in redraft formats to start the upcoming season.
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Jakob Junis has elected free agency. The 29-year-old Junis appeared as both a starter and a reliever this season, recording a 2-4 record with a 5.26 ERA and 1.40 WHIP in six starts and 16 appearances. He struck out 41 batters in 39 1/3 innings. Should Junis leave Kansas City, it will be just the second organization for him, as he's been with the Royals since being drafted in 2011. With 89 starts and a career 4.82 ERA to his name, Junis is likely to latch on somewhere as a depth option, and while he should not be selected in 2022 fantasy drafts, he could become relevant as the season progresses.
Kansas City Royals shortstop/third baseman Adalberto Mondesi failed to get a hit in the team's season finale against the Minnesota Twins on Sunday. However, he did reach base and he managed to steal his 15th base of the year and score a run as well. The 26-year-old dealt with multiple injuries this year and as a result, he only played in 35 games. To go along with his 15 stolen bases, he slashed .230/.271/.452 with six home runs, 17 RBI and 19 runs. Always a divisive figure in fantasy, next spring figures to be more of the same for Mondesi. However, his ADP should be even lower next year as he's coming off such an injury-plagued season.
Kansas City Royals first baseman Carlos Santana had a strong showing at the plate in the team's season finale against the Minnesota Twins on Sunday. He went 3-for-4 with three singles and an RBI. It was just his fourth multi-hit game since the start of September as he slumped his way to the 2021 finish line. It was a disappointing first year in Kansas City for Santana, who played in 158 games and slashed .214/.319/.342 with 19 home runs, 69 RBI and 66 runs. After posting a career-high .515 slugging percentage in 2019, he has now failed to top a .350 slugging percentage in two straight years. He remains one of the league's best in drawing walks (13.1% walk rate), but he offers little else of value for fantasy purposes at this point in his career.