Before the game, a collection of TV cameras and reporters swarmed Jac Caglianone’s locker, located near the entrance to the Royals clubhouse. Caglianone discussed multiple items, answer ingquestions about his time in Omaha rehabbing his hamstring and how he used it as a time to reset.
“The hammy felt good throughout,” Caglianone said. “I mean, never had any problems with it or anything like that. It was more so trying to work on what we’ve been working on, focusing on good pitches to hit, staying
within my strengths and I think it worked out well down there and just hoping to carry it over.”
Cags was a bit cagey about what, exactly, he worked on, only that he was working on some weaknesses. “Just kind of sticking to it,” he said. “Obviously the cage working and stuff. Did a bunch of drills and fine tuning. Feeling really good about what I have to do.”
Now, Caglianone isn’t in the lineup to start the game, but there’s a lefty on the mound for the Angels and it’s entirely possible he makes a pinch hit appearance. Carter Jensen, on the roster for the very first time, is in the same boat. About Jensen, Cags said a few key words: “He rakes.”
An hour later, Jensen sat down with reporters. As a local kid, he grew up watching and rooting for the Royals. Jensen, in fact, was in the house during Yordano Ventura’s gem of an outing in the 2014 World Series; he was 12 at the time, if that makes you feel old. And both Jensen and Caglianone discussed their friendship, with Cags calling Carter his best friend in the org.
They’ll get their chance to shine soon. If the Royals can knock out Angels starter Mitch Farris early, maybe that time will be as soon as today.
