Royals Rumblings - News for April 23, 2015

Royals Rumblings - News for April 23, 2015

Jeremy Guthrie did not show much command in a disappointing 3-0 loss last night.

So when he doesn't have his command, where does he turn for outs?

"Luck," he said. "Turn to luck. Hopefully you get miracles. Stolen bases with bases loaded and their best hitter up. Stuff like that....

"Jeremy's one of those guys that doesn't panic," manager Ned Yost said. "He'll bend at times, especially when he's struggling a little bit but he always finds a way to make a big pitch when he needs to. He doesn't freak out when he can't find his command."

Omar Infante sounds close to returning to action.

Omar Infante, recovering from a left groin strain, said he felt much better Wednesday night, and estimated he felt about 60 percent healthy on his groin. On Tuesday, Infante took batting practice, fielded ground balls and ran, including side-to-side movements. He replicated the process on Wednesday, but with more intensity, he said. Manager Ned Yost said Infante was available in an emergency on Wednesday night.

"He could probably play today, but I don't want to push him this early," Yost said.

The Royals are dismissive of Brett Lawrie's recent comments ripping Royals fans.

"I revert back to the Bill of Rights," manager Ned Yost said. "They've got freedom of speech. They can say whatever they want to say. It doesn't matter to us."

Brett Lawrie hates the U.S. Constitution.

Alex Rios is not amused.

Alex Rios not amused by Lawrie comments. "When Lorenzo got hit he knew what was going on. They all did. They can pretend they didnt" #Royals

— Jeffrey Flanagan (@FlannyMLB) April 22, 2015

Eric Hosmer has been drawing walks like crazy lately.

Hosmer said patience translates into a lot more things.

"If the scouting report on you is that you swing at anything," Hosmer said, "even when you get in hitter's counts, they're still not going to come to you because you haven't proved that you'd be aggressive in your zone. It opens up a lot more things. It gets you a lot better pitches to hit. Certain times, you go up there being patient, it gives you the ability to try and maybe let one loose on the first pitch every now and then."

Christian Colon is eager to show what he can do now that he has a chance to play.

"At the beginning of the season (it’s difficult) to get the timing down, you just have to be ready to go," Colon said. "I’m starting to get the timing back." Infante could play in a pinch on Wednesday and figures to be back in the lineup when the Royals play at Chicago starting Thursday. But Colon has given the Royals what they needed.

"He’s done a great job," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "It’s great having a guy who can play anywhere on the infield. He’s knows how to play the game."

Lee Judge looks at how slides like Brett Lawrie's on Friday used to be much rougher when Hal McRae was dishing them out.

McRae’s collision was so violent both players wound up well beyond second base, close to the outfield grass. As McRae lies on the ground, tangled with Randolph, he signals Patek to keep running and Freddie does — scoring from second base and tying the game on a ground ball that never left the infield.

After that, baseball decided enough was enough and tried to do something about the flying tackles that base runners like McRae were dishing out in order to break up double plays. Umpires started requiring base runners to slide and at least be close enough to second base to touch it — now commonly referred to as the Hal McRae rule.

Jeff Sullivan at Fangraphs takes a look at Paulo Orlando's amazing triples.

It’s taken as a given that Orlando runs well. Long strides. Impressive to watch. But triples tend to need a little help. Three of the triples above took place in Kansas City, where the park has a high triples factor due to the distant power alleys. And the two hit in Anaheim required slight defensive misplays. One line drive just went right over Mike Trout‘s head, as he didn’t retreat enough. And then you also see Matt Joyce getting too close to the left-field wall, probably due to unfamiliarity with the park. Good contact + speed + something = triple. "Something" can sometimes be about the defenders.

Outfielder Bubba Starling has been promoted to AA Northwest Arkansas. He was hitting .386/.471/.614 with 2 HR in 12 games for Wilmington.

Grant Brisbee wants more teams to hate each other like the Royals and Athletics do.

Tigers closer Joe Nathan injured himself during his rehab stint.

Chris Rock delivered a monologue about the lack of diversity in baseball (NSFW).

Barry Bonds had his obstruction of justice charge reversed on appeal. $55 million in federal tax money was used to prosecute him.

Scott Boras wants an independent panel to determine if a player is ready to be in the big leagues. Oy.

Statcast is here, what do you think of it?

Grantland's Bill Barnwell has what you need to know about the NFL schedule.

The St. Louis Rams are even holding training camp in California now. Why on earth would anyone buy Rams season tickets at this point?

Floyd Mayweather has purchased 100 cars from one dealer, all with cash.

The Thunder fire coach Scott Brooks, leading to speculation Oklahoma-native and Kansas coach Bill Self could be a candidate.

Why Las Vegas is a terrible place to put an NHL team.

BEES!!!!! Or hornets, at least.

The FBI admits using hair analysis to convict criminals is pretty much a sham.

Is Starbucks the great hope for reaching the middle class?

Were you wanting to get a cry in today? Then check out the trailer for "The Little Prince."

Your song of the day is Republic Tigers with "Buildings and Mountains."