Latest news with #KansasCityRoyals'
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
The Yankees are keeping their eyes on All-Star closer at the deadline
Francys Romero of Beisbol FR reports that the Yankees have kept their eyes on Kansas City Royals' closer Carlos Estevez, who signed a free agent deal to join the AL Central squad last winter. Across 42 innings, the closer has a 2.36 ERA and 20.1% K%, seeing a regression in some key statistics including his strikeout rate, walk rate, and fastball velocity. Still, Estevez has converted 25 saves and only blown five, as he's posted a 1.31 WPA due to his high fastball and strong slider, pitches that have allowed him to generate weak pop ups. Signed through the 2026 season, the Royals are currently paying him $11 million a year and have a club option they could pick up for his 2027 campaign. Carlos Estevez Drawing Interest From the Yankees At the Trade Deadline Named to the 2025 All-Star team, Carlos Estevez would provide a high-velocity fastball with good backspin that rides at the top of the zone, but he's lost the swing-and-miss numbers he posted in 2024. All three of his pitches have seen decreases in whiff rate, and given that Estevez is already in his age-32 season, one would assume that the declining velocity could be an indication of massive regression. Last season Carlos Estevez sat at 96.8 MPH, but this year that number has reduced to 95.4 MPH, but perhaps the organization identifies a change that could improve his overall pitch quality. READ MORE: The Yankees have been known to acquire reclamation projects for their bullpen, but Estevez profiles more like a name-brand addition that is on the down turn. New York might be better off adding a more dynamic swing-and-miss arm to aid a bullpen that has an ERA north of 4.00 following some critical injuries. Brian Cashman expected to have Jake Cousins back by now, but his torn UCL has him sidelined for the entire 2025 season and perhaps all of 2026 as well. Fernando Cruz and Mark Leiter Jr. are both hurt as well, and it's why pitching will be at the forefront of the Yankees' deadline needs. Related Headlines UFC 318 Preview and Prediction: Patricio Pitbull – Dan Ige Mets struck gold with $38 million pitching investment Knicks' former G League product has impressive performance in Summer League Nets have had busy offseason despite mulling Cam Thomas' future
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Team USA's Bobby Witt Jr. ready for bigger role in 2026 World Baseball Classic
Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. turns on a double play throwing to first as San Diego Padres' Jake Cronenworth slides out at second, in the second inning of a baseball game, Saturday, June 21, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Tony Ding) Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in Chicago, Sunday, June 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in Chicago, Sunday, June 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. turns on a double play throwing to first as San Diego Padres' Jake Cronenworth slides out at second, in the second inning of a baseball game, Saturday, June 21, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Tony Ding) Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in Chicago, Sunday, June 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. is going to again play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, and next year certainly will have a bigger role than last time. Witt announced Thursday that he is committed to playing for the United States and manager Mark DeRosa in the 2026 WBC. It will be Witt's second time on the team. Advertisement When part of Team USA in 2023, Witt was 22 and the youngest player on the roster who was coming off a standout rookie MLB season. He was a bench player who went 1 for 2 at the plate, and also was a pinch-runner in the ninth inning of the championship game won by Shohei Ohtani and Japan. Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, who will be the U.S. captain, and Pirates ace Paul Skenes have also committed to play for Team USA next spring. 'It's truly an honor,' Witt, who turned 25 two weeks ago, told MLB Network. 'It's something I've kinda dreamed about my whole entire life. Just being part of that team a couple years ago was amazing, and now we're going to bring home the gold.' Witt was the runner-up to Judge in the American League MVP voting last season, when the shortstop led the majors with a .332 batting average. Witt hit .285 with 10 home runs and 40 RBIs in the Royals' first 80 games this year. Advertisement DeRose said on MLB Network that he approached Witt during spring training about playing in the 2026 WBC, to which the player responded, '100%. I'm starting, right?' ___ AP MLB:
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Cardinals LHP Matthew Liberatore leaves start against Royals with fatigue issues
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Matthew Liberatore tosses a ball in the air as Kansas City Royals' Freddy Fermin runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the third inning in the second game of a baseball doubleheader Thursday, June 5, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane) Kansas City Royals' Maikel Garcia runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run off St. Louis Cardinals' Matthew Liberatore during the first inning in the second game of a baseball doubleheader Thursday, June 5, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane) St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Matthew Liberatore throws during the first inning in the second game of a baseball doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals, Thursday, June 5, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane) St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Matthew Liberatore throws during the first inning in the second game of a baseball doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals, Thursday, June 5, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane) St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Matthew Liberatore tosses a ball in the air as Kansas City Royals' Freddy Fermin runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the third inning in the second game of a baseball doubleheader Thursday, June 5, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane) Kansas City Royals' Maikel Garcia runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run off St. Louis Cardinals' Matthew Liberatore during the first inning in the second game of a baseball doubleheader Thursday, June 5, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane) St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Matthew Liberatore throws during the first inning in the second game of a baseball doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals, Thursday, June 5, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane) ST. LOUIS (AP) — St. Louis Cardinals starter Matthew Liberatore left Thursday night's game against Kansas City with fatigue issues, the team said. The Cardinals did not elaborate on the specifics of the fatigue. Advertisement Liberatore left with no outs in the fifth inning after throwing 71 pitches. His final pitch was a 73.8-mph, ball four curveball to Royals center fielder Maikel Garcia, who eventually scored on a single by Salvador Perez, giving Kansas City a 7-5 lead. Liberatore, the St. Louis starter in the nightcap of a day-night doubleheader, struggled in his second straight start. The 25-year-old left-hander allowed a season-high seven runs on eight hits in four-plus innings. In his last outing, Liberatore allowed five runs, four earned, in five innings in an 11-1 loss to the Rangers. Liberatore earned a starting role with the Cardinals out of spring training after spending the majority of last season working out of the bullpen. He has worked at least six innings in eight of his 12 starts and entered Thursday with a 2.42 ERA since April 13, which ranks seventh among National League starters. ___ AP MLB:
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Royals rookie Jac Caglianone gets first career hit and RBI
Kansas City Royals' Jac Caglianone runs after hitting an RBI double during the fourth inning in the first game of a baseball doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals Thursday, June 5, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane) Kansas City Royals' Jac Caglianone gestures toward the dugout after hiding an RBI double during the fourth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals in the first baseball game of a doubleheader, Thursday, June 5, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane) Kansas City Royals' Jac Caglianone gestures toward the dugout after hiding an RBI double during the fourth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals in the first baseball game of a doubleheader, Thursday, June 5, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane) Kansas City Royals' Jac Caglianone runs after hitting an RBI double during the fourth inning in the first game of a baseball doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals Thursday, June 5, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane) Kansas City Royals' Jac Caglianone gestures toward the dugout after hiding an RBI double during the fourth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals in the first baseball game of a doubleheader, Thursday, June 5, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane) ST. LOUIS (AP) — Kansas City Royals rookie outfielder Jac Caglianone got a pair of firsts out of the way with one swing of the bat Thursday. Caglianone ripped Miles Mikolas' curveball into the right-field corner for an RBI double that scored Salvador Perez in the fourth inning of the first game of a doubleheader against the Cardinals. It was the first career hit and RBI for the highly touted prospect who was selected sixth overall by Kansas City in the 2024 amateur draft. Advertisement 'He's a very decorated pitcher, a veteran and all that, so I knew his command was really good,' Caglianone said. 'So, he started off two heaters up, get down 0-2, and luckily, just saw the curveball pop.' Caglianone also added a nice running catch in right field to rob Alec Burleson of an extra base hit in the fifth in the Royals' 6-5 loss. 'He tracked that ball really well,' Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. 'I mean, it's hit hard and going towards the line, so it was a really nice play.' Caglianone went 0 for 5 in his major league debut on Monday, but he came close to picking up hits during three of those at-bats. Cardinals center fielder Victor Scott II raced 92 feet to make a running catch just steps away from the outfield wall on his first career at-bat and 10-time Gold Glove Award-winning third baseman Nolan Arenado made a pair of off-balance throws to nail him at first base later in the game. Advertisement 'It's the big leagues,' Caglianone said. 'These guys are really good at what they do. Yeah, it's been good so far. A lot of hard contact, and just going to keep building on it.' Caglianone had to wait an extra day to get his first hit after rain washed out Tuesday night's game. 'I was able to have a nice dinner with my family,' Caglianone said. 'Had a good night's sleep, so I was good going into 18 innings today.' The 22-year-old Caglianone hit .319 with nine home runs and 43 RBIs in 38 games with Triple-A Omaha after playing the first 12 games of the season with Double-A Northwest Arkansas. 'He's going to impact a lot of games for us,' Quatraro said. 'We're pretty confident in that. You know, he's been swinging the bat fine. Squared the ball up his first time as well, but for him to get that first one out of the way and kind of get that relaxation, that feel, is good for him, and it's good for us.' Advertisement Caglianone said he was thinking about his father when he got the hit. The ball will go home with his dad, who was in the stands to watch the milestone. 'He can keep it,' Caglianone said. __ AP MLB:
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
6 run 5th inning rally helps Royals beat Cardinals 10-7 in Jac Caglianone's debut
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Steven Matz throws during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane) St. Louis Cardinals' Alec Burleson runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run off Kansas City Royals' Michael Lorenzen during the third inning of a baseball game Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane) Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. hits a two RBI single during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane) Kansas City Royals' Nick Loftin hits a solo home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane) Kansas City Royals' Nick Loftin hits a solo home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane) St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Steven Matz throws during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane) St. Louis Cardinals' Alec Burleson runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run off Kansas City Royals' Michael Lorenzen during the third inning of a baseball game Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane) Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. hits a two RBI single during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane) Kansas City Royals' Nick Loftin hits a solo home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane) ST. LOUIS (AP) — Nick Loftin homered to start a six-run fifth inning, Bobby Witt Jr. also homered and the Kansas City Royals erased a five-run deficit to beat the St. Louis Cardinals 10-7 on Tuesday night in the major league debut of top Royals' prospect Jac Caglianone. Caglianone, recalled from Triple-A Omaha on Monday, went hitless in five at bats. Advertisement Daniel Lynch IV, Steven Cruz (2-0), Angel Zerpa, John Schreiber and Taylor Clarke combined to pitch 5 1/3 innings of scoreless relief before Carlos Estévez pitched a scoreless ninth for his 17th save. Vinnie Pasquantino hit a game-tying two-run double off Cardinals reliever Steven Matz (3-2), and Salvador Perez followed with an RBI single to give Kansas City an 8-7 fifth inning lead. Loftin hit his first home run since last June 18 to start the rally. After Drew Waters, Kyle Isbel and Jonathan India singled, Witt hit a two-run single to right field to cut Kansas City's deficit to 7-5 ending Cardinals starter Andre Pallante's night. Pallante allowed a career high-tying seven runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings. Advertisement Alec Burleson hit a two-run home run to center field to cap off a five-run third inning and chase Michael Lorenzen (3-7) from the game after allowing seven runs on seven hits in 2 2/3 innings. Witt hit his seventh home run of the season to give Kansas City a 2-0 first inning lead. Key moment Caglianone stepped up to the plate for the first time to lead off the top of the second inning. He lined a 2-2 pitch to the warning track in right-center field where Victor Scott II ran 92 feet to rob him of his first career hit. Key stat St. Louis lost for the first time in eight games when scoring at least four runs in Pallante's starts. Up next Royals LHP Noah Cameron (2-1, 1.05 ERA) will face Cardinals RHP Miles Mikolas (4-2, 3.90) Wednesday night. ___ AP MLB:
