Kansas City Royals: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Royals' Rotation Delivers Strong First Series to Open 2026 Season

The Kansas City Royals wrapped up their first series of the 2026 season Sunday with a 4-1 win over the Atlanta Braves. Despite dropping their first two games, they head back to Kansas City as they prepare to face the Minnesota Twins in their first home series of the season.

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Royals avoid sweep behind Seth Lugo's strong start over Braves

Seth Lugo pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings and Bobby Witt Jr. hit safely for the third straight game to help the visiting Kansas City Royals defeat the Atlanta Braves 4-1 on Sunday and salvage a win in the three-game series.

Kansas City Royals News / Royals Review / March 29

Royals salvage series, beat Braves 4-1 in finale

The game started like the first two for the Royals, scoreless innings. However, a leadoff walk in the third to Jac Caglianone started the scoring. Nick Loftin would hit into a double play, but the Royals would successfully overturn the out call at first base.

Kansas City Royals News / Yardbarker / March 29

Kansas City Royals might have a Carlos Estevez problem

Kansas City Royals closer Carlos Estevez has not looked right since the start of spring training.

Dominic Smith's walk-off grand slam lifts Braves past Royals

Royals avoid sweep behind Seth Lugo's strong start over Braves

From bad to worse: Ranking MLB's most failed franchises since 2000

The 'Last 30-HR season by MLB team' quiz

Pete Crow-Armstrong News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Youngest MLB 30/30 seasons' quiz

How many of the MLB players to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in the same season before turning 25 years old can you name in five minutes?

The 'MLB 30/30 Club members' quiz

The 'MLB active hit leaders' quiz

The 'Last 100-RBI season by MLB team' quiz

Athletics News / Yardbarker

One storyline to follow for every MLB team in 2026

As Spring Training opens for 2026, all 30 teams have high hopes and big questions. These are the storylines to follow for each team heading into Opening Day.

Red Sox to sign former Yankees relief pitcher ahead of Opening Day

MLB announces 80-game suspension for Johan Rojas

Mets star gets help from former teammate after clubhouse issues

Three comeback arms to watch in National League East

Five X factors in the AL Central

Kansas City Royals News / Kansas City Royals on SI / March 29

Royals Two-Time All-Star Already Facing Demotion From Closer Job

Sometimes, it only takes one slip-up when all the warning signs were already present. Kansas City Royals closer Carlos Estévez led Major League Baseball with 42 saves last season.

Matt Quatraro News / Royals Review / March 29

Quatraro: Carlos Estévez may pitch in lower-leverage situations

The velocity problems that had plagued Royals closer Carlos Estévez during spring training carried over into his first appearance of the regular season on Saturday, and may cost him his closer’s role, according to manager Matt Quatraro.

Kansas City Royals News / Royals Review / March 28

Royals lose in walk-off fashion, 6-2

Before I talk about the actual game, give me a moment to jump on my soap box. In the second inning of the contest, the Fox broadcast booth – featuring Adam Amin, Adam Wainwright, and A.J.

Kansas City Royals News / Kansas City Royals on SI / March 28

Royals Prospect Pitcher Already Emerging as Player to Watch in 2026

The Kansas City Royals have a lot to be excited about this season. They have talented pitchers like Cole Ragans and Kris Bubic, both of whom missed time with injuries last season, back at the big league level.

MLB News / Total Pro Sports / March 28

Royals vs. Braves Game 2: Predictions, Picks & Odds, March 28

Royals vs Braves: The Kansas City Royals take on the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on Saturday evening for Game 2 of their first series of the 2026 MLB regular season.

Kansas City Royals News / Kansas City Royals on SI / March 27

Royals 23-Year-Old Phenom Poised for Major Breakout Season

The Kansas City Royals are coming into the season with a lot of high hopes. They have a few players who put together dominant performances during the World Baseball Classic.

Athletics News / Yardbarker

25 MLB players that could be traded during the 2026 season

The 2026 MLB season is right around the corner, and it is never too early to start thinking about how it might unfold. Seemingly, every year, we have a decent handle on who should contend and who is likely to struggle, which makes looking ahead to the trade deadline inevitable.

Kansas City Royals News / Kansas City Royals on SI / March 27

Three Increasingly Bold Royals Predictions for 2026 Season

The Kansas City Royals' season is finally upon us, and only a day later than it should have arrived. After all but six Major League Baseball teams have sprung into action, the Royals will open their season on Friday against the Atlanta Braves.

Bobby Witt Jr. News / MLB on ClutchPoints / March 26

2 Bobby Witt Jr. bold predictions for 2026 season

Bobby Witt Jr. is already one of the most exciting players in the majors, but the 2026 season could be the one that makes him a permanent part of the all-time great conversation.

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The 'Most Elite Eight appearances' quiz

The 'Nine three-pointer NBA games' quiz

The 'Youngest MLB 30/30 seasons' quiz

The 'Active MLB 3+ 30-homer seasons' quiz

Drew Waters News / MLB Trade Rumors / March 25

Royals Designate Drew Waters For Assignment

The Royals designated outfielder Drew Waters for assignment as they finalized their Opening Day roster this afternoon. He’s out of options and did not make the team.

Carter Jensen News / Minor League Baseball on SI / March 25

Royals Drop Major Carter Jensen Decision Ahead of 2026 Opening Day

The Kansas City Royals have finalized their Opening Day roster, which means the team has reached a verdict on where top prospect Carter Jensen will be playing to begin the year.

Salvador Perez News / Just Baseball / March 25

How Much Can the Royals Still Lean on Salvador Perez’s Bat?

There’s no question that Salvador Perez of the Kansas City Royals will be a borderline Hall of Fame player when it’s all said and done. Yes, there are questions about his framing, which has affected his defensive metrics, and thus, his overall WAR values (35.8 bWAR; 19.0 fWAR).

Kansas City Royals News / Yardbarker / March 24

Four Royals predictions for the 2026 season

The Royals offense and pitching have their core players back and have hopefully strengthened the weak points enough to challenge for a divisional title.

The 'Last 30-HR season by MLB team' quiz

Kansas City Royals News / LWOSports.com / March 23

2026 Kansas City Royals O/U: Why the Royals will hit the OVER

The Kansas City Royals built up themselves a tough expectation to follow through with going into the 2025 season. After making a run to the American League (AL) Divisional Series, losing to the New York Yankees, the Royals had the expectation to make the playoffs back-to-back seasons.

Bobby Witt Jr. News / MLB on ClutchPoints / March 19

Bobby Witt Jr. breaks silence after Team USA’s WBC championship defeat

The World Baseball Classic remains in the spotlight following Team USA’s loss to Venezuela in the championship game. Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.

Carter Jensen News / Just Baseball / March 18

Carter Jensen Is Primed for a Major Breakout in 2026

The disparity surrounding the roller coaster that is prospect development has long been misunderstood. Baseball fans will look at prospect lists across multiple analysts and zone in on the little number next to the player and expect them to achieve those expectations in the shortest time possible.

Vinnie Pasquantino News / Total Pro Sports / March 17

Vinnie Pasquantino Drops Emotional Message After WBC Exit

Italy’s fairytale run, when it ended, left quite a mark. And right at the center of it all was Vinnie Pasquantino, who turned a semifinal exit into something way bigger than a final score. Monday night in Miami was the stuff of dreams.

Kansas City Royals News / Just Baseball / March 16

Five Kansas City Royals Spring Training Storylines to Watch

The Kansas City Royals have a very strong roster, and they’ll look to return to the postseason for the first time since 2024 after missing the postseason last year.

MLB News / Yardbarker / March 14