MLB Standings
The Royals (38-21) remain top of the AL Central, 4 games clear of the Twins. Over in the West, the Mariners (32-27) had a shocking month to leave the Avalanche (38-21) cruising at the top of the division while the Orioles (33-23) remain leaders in the East.
In the National League, the divisions are tighter; the Mets (35-24) half a game up on the Phillies, the Cardinals (30-27) 2 games clear of the Cubs, with the Dodgers (32-27) 1.5 games clear of the Giants and the Padres.
Kansas City Results
A disappointing 15-13 record in May for the Royals with several losing streaks frustrating the fans. Equally, surviving the month without first choice 3B or SS is a good result.
The month started well, finishing the Blue Jays sweep before winning the first two of a three game series against the Rangers. Losing the decider, though, started a three-game slide which meant dropping a series to the Brewers at home. They picked up the final game to avoid the sweep but then lost three of four on the road to the Angels, before finally winning their next series on the road in Seattle to get to the middle of the month at 7-7.
The Mariners were fuming as the Royals then lost two of three to the Avalanche at home but luckily bounced back to sweep the Tigers and then take two of three from the Rays, including two shut outs across the five games. Unfortunately, a trip to Minnesota wasn’t favourable as the Royals lost three of four before finishing the month with a win against the Padres to secure a winning month.
Kansas City Team Statistics
Home Runs are the Royals weakness as they are a top five team in every American League category with the exception of Home Runs (10th) and Home Runs Allowed (6th).
In a weak month, Sam Hart (140 wRC+) and Jimmy Goodman (130 wRC+) both kept the offence ticking, while also providing +1.7 and +5.6 ZR to lead the Royal defensive bounceback in 2036 (2nd ZR).
Mike Hoffer (77 FIP-) led the starters that pitched all month while Eddie Baquerizo (5.2 IP, 2 HA) had a strong outing his first game back from injury.
Chris Wagner (99 FIP-) added five saves to his season total, although did blow two and gave up 12 hits across 8 innnigs. Phil Farmer (131 FIP-) and Mike Halpin (120 FIP-) both struggled for the second month in a row, giving up 5 and 3 HRs in 22.1 and 13.2 IP respectively and are at risk if the right replacements are available in trades or the waiver wire.
Transactions & Injuries
Thursday, May 1st , 2036
Placed 3B Jeremy Rogerson on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to 04/28/2036.
Purchased the contract of 3B Eric Rose from Triple A Omaha.
Friday, May 2nd , 2036
Sent SP Eddie Baquerizo to Triple A Omaha for injury rehab.
Monday, May 5th , 2036
RP Robby Denton diagnosed with a stretched elbow ligament, will miss 8-9 months.
Purchased the contract of RP Ben Alvarado from Triple A Omaha.
Sunday, May 18th , 2036
Sent 3B Jeremy Rogerson to Triple A Omaha for injury rehab.
Friday, May 23rd , 2036
Sent SS Tim Storer to Triple A Omaha for injury rehab.
SP Cade Povich was designated for assignment and placed on waivers.
Purchased the contract of SP Eddie Baquerizo from Triple A Omaha.
2B Brooks Lee was designated for assignment and placed on waivers.
Purchased the contract of 3B Jeremy Rogerson from Triple A Omaha.
In a long season, the Royals decided to give Jeremy Rogerson time to recover from his back injury, putting him on the 10 day list and calling up Eric Rose for the month.
Losing Robby Denton for the season was a tough blow but that allowed Ben Alvarado (2030 13th Round) to make his debut for the club.
Eddie Baquerizo’s return to the starting rotation saw Cade Povich released after he refused a demotion to AAA and Brooks Lee was designated for assignment to allow Jeremy Rogerson to return to the line up.
Minor League News
International League (AAA) Pitcher of the Month: Ethan Chafin (2033 Trade WAS) 4-0, 1.53 ERA, 36 K, 35.1 IP
Texas League (AA) Pitcher of the Month: Jb Jointer (2030 5th Round) 4-0, 1.79 ERA, 53 K, 40.1 IP
Carolina League (A) Batter of the Month: Andy Alexander (2032 2nd Round) .342, 15 HRs, 37 RBIs
Around the League
Transactions
Sunday, May 18th , 2036
The Los Angeles Angels traded 20-year old minor league 2B Jesus Luna and 20-year old minor league RHP Steve Shields to the San Francisco Giants, getting 30-year old minor league RF Shamar Dossie in return.
Wednesday, May 14th , 2036
San Diego Padres: Signed free agent 3B Graham Pauley to a 1-year contract worth a total of $2,360,000.
Tuesday, May 13th , 2036
Toronto Blue Jays: Signed free agent RP Joe Gimbel to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,420,000.
Monday, May 5th , 2036
New York Mets: Signed 2B Zach Masteller to a 8-year contract extension worth a total of $151,300,000.
Friday, May 2nd , 2036
The Washington Nationals traded 21-year old minor league LF Juan Ibarra and 23-year old minor league LHP Saadyah Hershfeld to the San Francisco Giants, getting 31-year old minor league 3B Young-tae Kim in return.
Injuries
Friday, May 30th , 2036
Cleveland Guardians: 3B Danny Petty diagnosed with a torn flexor tendon in his elbow, will miss 12 months.
Detroit Tigers: SP Juan Corona was injured while pitching. The Diagnosis: sprained elbow. He's expected to miss about 6 weeks.
Wednesday, May 28th , 2036
Minnesota Twins: SS Carson Williams diagnosed with a strained hamstring, will miss 7 weeks.
Monday, May 26th , 2036
San Antonio Avalanche: 3B Roderick Arias diagnosed with a fractured wrist, will miss 6 weeks.
Sunday, May 25th , 2036
Detroit Tigers: SS Cristofer Torin diagnosed with a fractured jaw, will miss 4 weeks.
Thursday, May 22nd , 2036
Seattle Mariners: 2B Keon Johnson diagnosed with a partially torn labrum, will miss 4-5 months.
Cleveland Guardians: LF J.J. Wetherholt was injured on a defensive play. The Diagnosis: bone bruise (knee). He's expected to miss about 2 months.
Tuesday, May 20th , 2036
San Francisco Giants: Ken Maus has suffered a setback in his recovery. He is not expected to recover for another 5 months.
Sunday, May 18th , 2036
Arizona Diamondbacks: CF Emmanuel Rodriguez diagnosed with back spasms, will miss 4 weeks.
Pittsburgh Pirates: C Dave Holcombe diagnosed with a fractured rib, will miss 4 weeks.
New York Mets: RF Alejandro Moreno diagnosed with a sprained thumb, will miss 5 weeks.
Saturday, May 17th , 2036
Seattle Mariners: SP Robby Snelling was injured while pitching. The Diagnosis: rotator cuff strain. He's expected to miss about 8 weeks.
Friday, May 16th , 2036
St. Louis Cardinals: RP Raheem Whitthorne was injured. The Diagnosis: Torn Meniscus. He's expected to miss about 6 months.
Thursday, May 15th , 2036
Philadelphia Phillies: SP Blake Walston diagnosed with a torn meniscus, will miss 5 months.
Cincinnati Reds: RP Ronan Kopp diagnosed with a torn rotator cuff, will miss 10 months.
Chicago White Sox: RF Cam Cannarella diagnosed with bone marrow edema in his knee, will miss 5 weeks.
Tuesday, May 13th , 2036
Boston Red Sox: Roman Anthony has suffered a setback in his recovery. He is not expected to recover for another 3-4 weeks.
Chicago White Sox: RP Cade Kuehler was injured while pitching. The Diagnosis: forearm inflammation. He's expected to miss about 4 weeks.
Sunday, May 11th , 2036
Cleveland Guardians: CF Douggie Dolcy was injured when he slipped on a wet floor. The Diagnosis: sprained knee. He's expected to miss about 8 weeks.
Los Angeles Angels: CF Ken O'Loughlin was injured on a defensive play. The Diagnosis: recurring back spasms. He's expected to miss about 7 weeks.
Saturday, May 10th , 2036
Chicago Cubs: SP Chase Burns diagnosed with a herniated disc, will miss 2-3 months.
San Antonio Avalanche: RP Jonathan Mastin diagnosed with a finger blister, is day-to-day for 4 days.
Colorado Rockies: Marquis Botchway has suffered a setback in his recovery. He is not expected to recover for another 3-4 weeks.
Friday, May 9th , 2036
Cleveland Guardians: Chase Petty has suffered a setback in his recovery. He is not expected to recover for another 3-4 weeks.
San Diego Padres: 3B Danny Payton diagnosed with a fractured ankle, will miss 4-5 months.
San Francisco Giants: LF Julio Rodriguez was injured while running the bases. The Diagnosis: fractured finger. He's expected to miss about 5-6 weeks.
Wednesday, May 7th , 2036
Baltimore Orioles: RP Tink Hence diagnosed with a strained triceps, will miss 4-5 weeks.
Texas Rangers: 3B Johnny Powell diagnosed with a strained hamstring, will miss 7 weeks.
Texas Rangers: CF Ben Heiselman was injured while throwing the ball. The Diagnosis: oblique strain. He's expected to miss about 5-6 weeks.
Tuesday, May 6th , 2036
St. Louis Cardinals: RP Haruya Taniguchi diagnosed with a strained triceps, will miss 5 weeks.
Monday, May 5th , 2036
Kansas City Royals: RP Robby Denton diagnosed with a stretched elbow ligament, will miss 8-9 months.
Boston Red Sox: RP Bobby Miller was injured while pitching. The Diagnosis: strained abdominal muscle. He's expected to miss about 5 weeks.
Sunday, May 4th , 2036
Cincinnati Reds: RP Leighton Finley diagnosed with elbow tendinitis, will miss 5 weeks.
Saturday, May 3rd , 2036
Milwaukee Brewers: 1B Mike Wills diagnosed with a severely strained hip muscle, will miss 4-5 months.
Atlanta Braves: 3B Juan Salazar diagnosed with a sprained ankle, will miss 4 weeks.