Maureen Mullen at MLB writes that Jac Caglianone took some BP on Friday.
Jac Caglianone took on-field batting practice before Friday’s series opener against the Red Sox at Fenway Park for the first time since suffering a Grade 1 flexor strain in his left elbow in Saturday’s loss to the Blue Jays.
Before taking a regular rotation with the last hitting group, Caglianone also hit in the indoor batting cage and shagged balls in right field.
While manager Matt Quatraro could not say whether or not Caglianone
would be available to pinch-hit Friday, he was encouraged by the progression of his right fielder.
Rex Hudler is done with his Royals broadcasts this year, writes Pete Grathoff.
David Lesky looks at potential Rule 5 decisions the Royals may need to make this offseason, such as what to do with Gavin Cross.
We all know much more about Cross. He was picked ninth overall in that same 2022 draft and just reached Omaha for the first time this season. It was a combination of injuries and poor play, though it’s fair to wonder if one informed the other. He didn’t have his first multi-hit game until May 10, but eventually made an adjustment to add a toe tap to his swing. Even though he’s hitless in his last two games, he’s hitting .291/.338/.563 since the start of June with 16 home runs and 13 doubles. He came back from another injury on August 26 and has 25 strikeouts in 52 plate appearances since then, but before the injury had a 43-game stretch where he was hitting .337/.390/.639.
I don’t know if he’s figured out how to hit or not. I do know he’s a solid defender in a corner and can probably cosplay as a center fielder for a game or two still. Guys like Cross don’t get picked a ton because the strikeouts are probably concerning, but he has real power, and I think he’d probably get picked if there is a draft. My question is if the Royals would rather simply use him as part of a trade before that and not worry about it, but I can’t predict the future, so I’m very much on the fence if I’d add him. I think I would, but I go back and forth.
Dayn Perry at CBS Sports looks at which managers could be on the hot seat, such as Matt Quatraro.
He’s probably fine because his contract runs through 2029. That said, the Royals are in last place and will have a losing record for the second straight year under Quatraro. He needs to rebound in 2027, but he’ll likely keep his job for now.
Job status: Probably safe
The Royals hosted a 9/11 stair climb that draws over a hundred first responders and veterans.
Pete Crow-Armstrong is not slowing down.
The players that leveled up and made huge impacts this year for their teams.
The Blue Jays call up former Royals farmhand Rudy Martin Jr. to make his MLB debut and designate Jesus Sanchez for assignment.
Byron Buxton is out for the year following hip surgery.
Joe Posnanski asks what happened to the .300 hitter?
Which players have opt outs this offseason?
The Rays put in a claim on outfielder Luis Robert Jr. when he was on waivers.
MLB premieres a new documentary about the Mets taking the field following 9/11.
How a Michael Cuddyer home run kept a teammate off American Airlines Flight 11 on 9/11.
The NHL has some work to do if they want to give Texas another team.
The new Chiefs stadium will not be named Arrowhead.
Election officials ban certain public workers from trading on prediction markets ahead of midterms elections.
Harrison Ford will not be in Blade Runner 2099.
A handful of people have an unlimited pasta pass to Olive Garden.
Your song of the day is Fleetwood Mac with Tusk.
