Daily Clips
April 20, 2018
LOCAL
Royals mailbag: The bullpen mess, an ineffective offense and what's next for Karns
April 19, 2018By Maria Torres/KC Star
Gallows humor sets in with fans as Royals are mired in losing streak
April 19, 2018By Pete Grathoff/KC Star
'That ball's gone, boys!' Danny Duffy called Whit Merrifield's homer on broadcast
April 19, 2018By Pete Grathoff/KC Star
MINORS
Salvador Perez catches in Storm Chasers doubleheader, hopes for quick return to Kansas City
April 19, 2018By Tony Boone/Omaha World-Herald
Gordon Expected To Start Rehab Assignment in Omaha
All-Star outfielder & UNL alum Alex Gordon set to join club on Friday
April 19, 2018By Omaha Storm Chasers
Drillers drop Naturals in homestand opener
OF Donnie Dewees extended his hitting streak to eight games in the loss to Tulsa on Thursday night
April 19, 2018By Northwest Arkansas Naturals
Blue Rocks Rout Keys in Series Opener
Six Different Rocks Drive in a Run in Win
April 19, 2018By Wilmington Blue Rocks
Legends Utilize the Long Ball in Game One Victory Over Hagerstown
April 19, 2018By Lexington Legends
NATIONAL
AL Central: Checking in on the new guys
April 19, 2018By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
Royals look primed to sell this summer
April 19, 2018By Jon Heyman/Fanrag Sports
Danny Duffy aims to recover grandpa's stolen mementos
April 20, 2018By Joe Bailey/Lee Central Coast Newspapers
MLB TRANSACTIONS
April 20, 2018 •.CBSSports.com
LOCAL
Royals mailbag: The bullpen mess, an ineffective offense and what's next for Karns
April 19, 2018By Maria Torres/KC Star
The Royals are in the middle of an eight-game losing streak during which they've been outscored 60-25.
Fans had a lot of questions, so let's just get right to them in the first mailbag of the regular season.
@jhb2006
How long do they stick with Blaine Boyer?
It’s no secret. Boyer has not been good. His 25.20 ERA is the worst of all qualified major-league relievers (and teammate Justin Grimm is next with his 18.90 ERA in nine games). The Royals are trying to help Boyer regain control of his fastball.
Can the Royals afford to keep him on the roster when he’s proven himself ineffective in his six appearances and when the entire bullpen owns a majors-worst 7.94 ERA in 51 innings? Probably not. Will they try? More than likely.
Without him, the Royals would lack veteran presence in the bullpen. You might count Kelvin Herrera a veteran. But if Herrera continues his pace — he’s allowed two hits and struck out eight batters in six appearances this season; he’s looked more confident on the mound, more like the closer the Royals wanted him to be last year — he might be on the trading block.
So as long as the Royals see value in the lessons Boyer can provide to younger, inexperienced relievers Brad Keller, Burch Smith and Tim Hill, he’ll probably stick around a while.
But the Royals bullpen situation is getting hairier by the game. Something will have to give.
@Bjoe87
Replying to @maria_torres3
With Skoglund struggling, is there anyone who can takeover the fifth spot in the rotation?
@Eldorian
Replying to @maria_torres3
Will we see Clay Buchholz on the major league roster before May 1st, and if so, why would we use him instead of bringing up one of our younger guys to see what they have at this point?
Putting these questions together because they may go hand in hand.
The Royals signed Clay Buchholz in March to improve their starting pitching depth. It was a move born of necessity — the Royals still lack starting pitching depth, as far as experience is concerned — and it’s starting to look smart.
Buchholz is a veteran All-Star pitcher. Before being traded to the Phillies ahead of the 2017 season, he amassed a career ERA of 3.96 in 188 starts spanning 10 seasons with the Red Sox.
In his return from last season’s forearm surgery, the Royals have been pleased with his progress. He pitched 4 2/3 scoreless innings in his first regular-season game on Tuesday with Class AA Northwest Arkansas. He struck out five, issued two walks and allowed just one hit.
It would not be inconceivable for the Royals to make room for Buchholz on the 40-man roster and call on him to be their 26th player for one of the games in April 28’s doubleheader against the White Sox at Kauffman Stadium.
If that tryout were to go well, maybe he’d be given a chance to take over the fifth spot in the rotation.
@Ethan_Kanke
Replying to @maria_torres3
What kind of impact can we expect Karns to make when he returns to the bullpen? What is the timetable on that return?
The jury’s still out on Karns’ return. Ned Yost said Wednesday he and Alex Gordon are progressing steadily. The Royals are not going to rush either of them, but Gordon will start a rehab assignment on Friday in Omaha.
But as far as impact is concerned, Karns would provide a curveball that last year generated groundballs nearly 49 percent of the time and at its best has a six-inch break in the zone. Hitters tend to whiff at the pitch 25 percent of the time, according to Brooks Baseball.
He can also use his change-up for an above-average number of swings and misses.
Coupled with a four-seam fastball that can hit 97 mph, Karns has a powerful arsenal that fits the profile of a late-innings reliever. Outside of Brandon Maurer, who is refining himself at Omaha right now, and Herrera, the Royals don’t have other experienced major-league relievers who tout such talent.
But chances are Karns will pitch in the middle innings when he makes his season debut.
@HuskerInsanity
Are you surprised the Royals have only won 3 games so far this year?
Most had a hunch the bullpen would stumble. It was the most difficult part of the Royals roster to assemble. It was inexperienced and unproven.
But the offense has been perplexing. The Royals’ situational hitting has been atrocious; their .222 batting average with runners on base ranks 26th among 30 teams. Their .207 average with runners in scoring position is sixth-worst in baseball.
Yet here is Mike Moustakas, whose .348 batting average is the eighth-best in baseball. He and Lucas Duda have combined from the three and four spots in the lineup to drive in 23 of the Royals’ 51 runs this season.
Everyone else has four or fewer RBIs this season.
It’s still April. Catcher Salvador Perez's right-handed bat is still missing from the lineup. It’s been cold. Players are struggling with timing.
But you can only blame so much of this eight-game losing streak on the bullpen.
The Royals haven’t accomplished much offensively to help themselves out. They've stranded a total of 111 runners for a rate of 6.9 per game. In the last eight games, they’ve hit .197 (14 for 71) with runners in scoring position.
The Royals should definitely be better than 3-13.
So, short answer: Yes.
@seanmpatton
Replying to @maria_torres3
What can be done to improve this bullpen? Why, realistically, do GMDM and Yost dislike Hunter Dozier and refuse to give him a fair shake?
Dozier needs at-bats.
He only played 33 games last year. He’s already 36 percent of the way to matching that total with 12 games played at Class AAA Omaha through Wednesday.
His 2017 campaign was lost to a rash of injuries — a strained oblique, a fractured wrist and a broken nose. He tried to make up for wasted time by playing in Mexico’s winter league, but he only logged 85 at-bats in 19 games. Combined with 111 at-bats in the Royals organization last year, he barely had time to work on his approach. He only batted .243 and he struck out 50 times.
Jumping to the major leagues for an extended period of time, this early in the season, would have been counterproductive. The Royals are staunch about having their young players build as much confidence as possible in the minor leagues.
Sure, Dozier came into spring training ready to earn the starting job at first base before the Royals signed Duda. But the Royals weren’t willing to rush his development. He needs more seasoning at the minor-league level.
So far, the decision to start the season in Omaha has served Dozier well: He’s hitting .308 (12 for 39) with three doubles, a home run and four RBIs. He’s also drawn eight walks and struck out nine times.
It may be a bit dramatic to say the Royals refuse to give Dozier a fair shake. His time will come.
Gallows humor sets in with fans as Royals are mired in losing streak
April 19, 2018By Pete Grathoff/KC Star
Sadly, the only thing worse than the weather this April has been the Royals.
The Royals are 3-13 overall and 3-11 this month, haven't won a game in 10 days and the bullpen has the worst ERA in baseball by more than two runs over the 29th-ranked team.
During their current eight-game losing streak, the Royals have been outscored 60-25.
“I think Dayton (Moore) and I are always looking, we’re always evaluating,” manager Ned Yost told The Star's Maria Torres. “We always like to try to get through the first month before we start making some changes. It definitely hasn’t been very pretty."
No, it hasn't been pretty. But some Royals haven't lost their sense of humor, even if it is gallows humor.
Here are some of the things people have shared on Twitter about the Royals:
Click the link to see the tweets.
'That ball's gone, boys!' Danny Duffy called Whit Merrifield's homer on broadcast
April 19, 2018By Pete Grathoff/KC Star
There were at least a few things to like about the first Royals' game that was shown on Facebook.
There were no commercials breaks and there was a well-timed in-game interview with left-hander Danny Duffy.
The interview began in the fifth inning with the Royals trailing the Blue Jays 4-2. Jon Jay led off the inning with a single, and Whit Merrifield followed with a towering two-run homer.
Duffy interrupted a story and said, "That ball's gone boys. That ball's out!"
After Merrifield had circled the bases, Jeremy Guthrie, who was one of the broadcasters asked Duffy about his running program.
Duffy said: "I ran the whole lower bowl down here, up the stairs, down the stairs — thata baby, Whit! Great baseball man, right there."
Here is the video from the Royals:
Click the link for the video.
MINORS
Salvador Perez catches in Storm Chasers doubleheader, hopes for quick return to Kansas City
April 19, 2018By Tony Boone/Omaha World-Herald
A little more than three weeks ago, Salvador Perez was walking around the indoor batting cages at Werner Park, joking with teammates and media members before a scheduled exhibition game.
The All-Star catcher was in a great mood with Kansas City only a few days away from its opener. One night after the cancellation in Omaha, however, Perez sprained his left knee when he slipped while carrying his luggage up stairs. A partial tear of his MCL forced a delay in the start to his 2018 season.
Originally expected to be on the disabled list for four to six weeks, Perez returned to Werner on Thursday to wrap up his rehabilitation assignment in the minor leagues well ahead of schedule. He caught the second game of a doubleheader as reigning PCL champion Memphis swept Omaha, 6-2 and 2-1.
“A couple of more days here until I go to the big leagues, so I feel great,” Perez said before the opener of the doubleheader. “My knee feels better. I had an accident in my house (two days) before opening day. It was terrible for me. But this is part of the life. Now, I’ll start to get ready and go back and support my team.”
The 2015 World Series MVP said he could return to the big leagues as soon as Saturday. He is expected to still be in town Friday, when he will be joined by a Royals teammate in the Omaha lineup.
Former Nebraska star and five-time Gold Glove winner Alex Gordon, on the disabled list since April 9 for a labral tear in his left hip, is scheduled to start a rehabilitation assignment of his own with the Chasers.
Gordon, who also had rehab stints in Omaha in 2015 and ’16, played seven games before his injury. The three-time All-Star outfielder logged only 23 at-bats, hitting .174, prior to landing on the disabled list.
Perez, meanwhile, hasn’t played for the Royals at all. And Kansas City is off to a rough start without him: The Royals are 3-13 to start the season.
“That’s why I was a little quicker in my recovery,” the catcher said. “I want to try to help my team, to play hard and try to change the situation right now. We’re going to see what happens after I get there.”
Perez began his rehab assignment in Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Sunday. He caught half of a game on his first day, batted only in his second and was behind the plate for seven innings in his third.
On Thursday, the four-time Gold Glove winner was behind the plate for all seven innings of the nightcap, throwing out two of three Redbird runners who attempted to steal second base. Perez hit 1 for 4 with a single and three groundouts. He is in line to be the designated hitter Friday.
“We put in a lot of work together, the trainer and me,” Perez said. “I feel great. (Wednesday) was my third week. They said it was going to take me (four to six). I only have three. I’m healing pretty good.”
Memphis starter Jack Flaherty tossed a two-hitter in Thursday’s opener. Wilfredo Tovar, the No. 9 hitter for the Redbirds, drove in five runs, three on a home run in a four-run second inning.
Ryan O’Hearn drove in both Omaha runs with a double in the fourth. Zach Lovvorn, called up from Double-A to replace the recently promoted Scott Barlow, suffered the loss in his Triple-A debut.
Adolis Garcia’s two-run homer off Andres Machado was all the offense the Redbirds needed to win the nightcap. Reliever John Brebbia fanned Hunter Dozier swinging with Perez on first base to end the game.
Gordon Expected To Start Rehab Assignment in Omaha
All-Star outfielder & UNL alum Alex Gordon set to join club on Friday
April 19, 2018By Omaha Storm Chasers
Kansas City Royals All-Star outfielder and Nebraska Cornhuskers alum Alex Gordon is anticipated to begin a Major League Rehab Assignment with the Omaha Storm Chasers on Friday.
Combined over 12 Major League seasons, Gordon has hit .258 (1341-5189) with 719 runs, 299 doubles, 25 triples, 160 homers and 608 RBI. He was the recipient of four consecutive Rawlings Gold Glove Awards between 2011-14, in addition to three straight American League All-Star nods from 2013-15. He was placed on the 10-Day Disabled List on April 9 with a left hip labral tear.
Gordon in 96 career Triple-A contests has accumulated a .326 average (118-362) with 82 runs, 26 doubles, four triples, 17 homers and 62 RBI with the Omaha franchise between the 2009-10 campaigns, in addition to 2015-16. In two games last season as part of a Major League Rehab Assignment he collected three hits in seven at-bats while driving in three runs.
Following this evening's doubleheader, the Storm Chasers are scheduled to face off against the Memphis Redbirds in their series finale on Friday night. First pitch that evening is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CT.
Drillers drop Naturals in homestand opener
OF Donnie Dewees extended his hitting streak to eight games in the loss to Tulsa on Thursday night
April 19, 2018By Northwest Arkansas Naturals
The Tulsa Drillers (8-5) used some big early innings to drop the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (5-8) by an 11-0 final in the homestand opener on Thursday night at Arvest Ballpark. The Naturals will look to salvage the finale on Friday.
After a scoreless first, the Drillers used three consecutive hits to load the bases in the second. Errol Robinson started the scoring with a two-run single through the hole at shortstop before D.J. Peters worked a bases loaded walk for the 3-0 lead.
The big frame came in the fourth as the visitor's from Tulsa would plate five runs by way of the long ball. Will Smith gave the Drillers a 5-0 lead with a two-run homer before Jacob Scavuzzo completed the inning with a three-run shot for an 8-0 advantage. Tulsa would tack on additional runs in the fifth, seventh and eighth to set the final score of Game 1 at 11-0.
The Tulsa offense, which scored early and cranked out 17 hits, made life tough for the Naturals pitchers. RHP Scott Blewett (L, 0-2) got the start but struggled to keep the Driller hitters in check after a strong opening inning. The tall righty would exit after 3.2 innings as he gave up six runs on eight hits while striking out four on the night. Reliever RHP Jacob Bodner made his first appearance for the Naturals and tossed 1.1 innings giving up three runs, two earned, with a pair of strikeouts. RHP Pedro Fernandez and LHP Jake Kalish would then each work 2.0 of the final 4.0 frames and give up two hits and a run respectively.