As Opening Day nears, the Kansas City Royals have a few roster decisions to make. For the most part, the roster appears set, but a handful of questions remain in the pitching department.
The margin was razor-thin, but the message from Bobby Witt Jr. was pretty clear. Team USA survived a tense 2-1 battle against the Dominican Republic in the 2026 World Baseball Classic semifinal on March 15.
Spring training storylines are heating up while the World Baseball Classic continues to showcase baseball’s global reach — and the Royals Rundown Podcast is here to break it all down.
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.
The Kansas City Royals have a lot to be excited about this spring. Their best players, like Maikel Garcia, Vinnie Pasquantino, and Bobby Witt Jr. have dominated the World Baseball Classic, representing the Royals on the biggest stage in baseball.
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.
Someone on the Royals’ bench needs the ability to play third, in case All-Star Maikel Garcia goes down or needs a rest. The two most likely candidates to fill that role would be either Josh Rojas or Nick Loftin.
Vinnie Pasquantino, Jac Caglianone and Team Italy defeated Seth Lugo and Puerto Rico on Saturday. On Saturday, Lugo — representing Puerto Rico — took the mound against Italy in the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals at Daikin Park in Houston.
Kansas City Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. helped Team USA survive a tense battle with the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. Under the bright stadium lights, the Americans edged Team DR 2–1 to reach their third straight Classic final.
The Kansas City Royals have leaned on their starting pitching for success over the past two seasons. In 2024, the Royals’ rotation ranked second in ERA at 3.55.
With MLB stars such as captain Vinnie Pasquantino in their ranks, Team Italy continues to send shockwaves through the 2026 World Baseball Classic. They secured a spot in the quarterfinals after stunning Team USA, then took the top spot in Pool B with a win over Mexico.
Vinnie Pasquantino might have just inadvertently made an enemy in South America. The Team Italy captain and Kansas City Royals first baseman got ahead of himself during an interview following Saturday’s big 8-6 win versus Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals.
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.
Many Kansas City Royals fans have most likely been devoting a lot of their time recently to watching the highlight reel plays coming from Bobby Witt Jr.
Spring training is supposed to be about fine-tuning lineups and building momentum. For the Kansas City Royals, though, a late-March injury scare just added a wrinkle to those plans.
Kansas City Royals second baseman Jonathan India exited Friday’s Cactus League game vs. the Arizona Diamondbacks with right groin tightness, creating a late spring training health concern as Opening Day approaches.
Anne Rogers gives a roster projection with two weeks to go. If Massey is healthy enough to make the team, there’s just one spot really up for grabs here.
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year, we ask questions of the most plugged-in Kansas City Royals fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Bobby Witt Jr. and Vinnie Pasquantino are not only terrific ballplayers for the Royals and World Baseball Classic, they seem to be genuine friends. For
The Rays announced that they have acquired right-hander Matthew Hoskins from the Royals as the player to be named later in the Kameron Misner trade. Tampa flipped Misner to Kansas City for cash or a PTBNL in November.
The World Baseball Classic has put a spotlight on some of MLB’s best players around the world. One player who is seemingly emerging as a true superstar is shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.
Opening Day is just weeks away, and for Kansas City Royals outfielder Jac Caglianone, this season represents a fresh start and a clean slate. After a struggling stretch following his call-up in June 2025, Caglianone went to work during the offseason to prepare for the year ahead.
Royals righty Stephen Kolek has been diagnosed with a “Grade 1+” strain of his oblique, per Anne Rogers of MLB.com. Kolek’s original diagnosis of a strain came yesterday, but the Royals sent him for additional testing — the results of which they’ve now received.