Kansas City Royals Roster
- AL Central
- Stadium
- Kauffman Stadium
Kansas City Royals relief pitcher James McArthur was called upon to hold a one-run lead versus the Houston Astros on Sunday. This was not an easy task, but McArthur was able to get the job done. McArthur allowed one hit, but was able to get out of the jam and record his third save of the season. The 26-year-old has quality pitches and could be a legitimate option as a long term closer. It wouldn't be shocking to see the Royals add some depth in the bullpen this offseason. However, McArthur should get a legitimate look as the full time closer next season.
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans launched six two-run innings on three hits and four walks with five strikeouts for his seventh win of the year in Friday's start against the Houston Astros. The 25-year-old was spotted an early four-run lead before Yordan Alvarez tagged him for an RBI double in the first inning. Jose Abreu then took a high fastball yard in the second frame, but Ragans pitched quite well otherwise. The southpaw has authored an incredible post-All-Star break story, leading the American League with a masterful 2.34 ERA in 11 starts (65 1/3 innings). Ragans has also fanned 81 during this phenomenal string of success, and the Royals have to love the compensation they received for Aroldis Chapman's expiring contract earlier this summer thus far. Ragans will have a prime chance to put a bow on his second half in his final 2023 start set for Thursday against the Detroit Tigers.
Catcher Salvador Perez (concussion) has cleared concussion protocol and will join the Kansas City Royals at Minute Maid Park during their series against the Houston Astros on Saturday. The veteran backstop sustained a mild concussion after taking a foul ball to his facemask last Saturday, but he is positioned to be activated from the 7-day injured list when first eligible for Sunday's series finale, per manager Matt Quatraro. Perez will aim to wrap up the campaign on a high note upon his return, as he's hitting only .252 with a .706 OPS (his lowest figures since 2018) with 21 home runs, 20 doubles, and 72 RBI in 511 at-bats. The eight-time All-Star should also supply a boost to fantasy playoff rosters in the championship round.
The Kansas City Royals have shut down starting pitcher Brady Singer (back) for the rest of the season, according to Anne Rogers of MLB.com. The right-hander started Monday's game against the Cleveland Guardians and experienced back tightness afterward. Following a breakout 2022 campaign in which he registered a 3.23 ERA, Singer struggled over 159 2/3 innings this year, posting a 5.52 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, and 18.9% strikeout rate. Fantasy managers who still own the 27-year-old can easily replace that kind of production with someone on the waiver wire.
The Kansas City Royals placed catcher Salvador Perez (concussion) on the seven-day concussion injured list (retroactive to Sept. 17) on Monday and selected the contract of catcher Tyler Cropley from Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move. The Royals also moved catcher Freddy Fermin (finger) to the 60-day injured list. Perez suffered the concussion on Saturday when he took a foul tip to the mask, and with very little time remaining before the end of the regular season, the 33-year-old veteran might have played his last game of 2023. For the time being, the Royals will roll with Cropley and Logan Porter as their two catchers. If this is the end of the year for Perez, he'd finish with a .252/.291/.415 slash line with 21 home runs, 72 RBI and 56 runs scored in 511 at-bats in 2023.
