Royals Rumblings - News for September 2, 2015

Royals Rumblings - News for September 2, 2015

In case you missed the news yesterday, the Royals have been plagued by chicken pox.

Royals outfielder Alex Rios and All-Star reliever Kelvin Herrera have both been infected with the virus and could miss at least two weeks of action, team officials told The Star. Rios and Herrera each left the team over the weekend and flew to Kansas City before the series ended. An examination on Monday of both players confirmed the diagnosis, a team official said. Team officials are expected to address the situation before Tuesday’s game against the Tigers. The Royals believe the infections are limited to only Herrera and Rios. The most at-risk players are those from countries in Latin America, where the chances of childhood inoculation are lower, experts say.

Sam Mellinger writes this is just another crazy turn in a crazy season.

In a perfect world, sure, perhaps, and going forward this is something the Royals will have to at least consider. Yahoo reported that one baseball team has prioritized vaccinations in recent years. But blaming the Royals for negligence here means believing a long list of circumstances that are dishonest to assume.

It also presents a slippery slope of medical questions, all over a freak breakout that no one could have reasonably predicted. The Royals are very careful about the health of their players. The air in their clubhouse is filtered in a way that helps prevent disease. The training staff is considered one of the strongest in baseball. And this still happened.

"It’s crazy," Eric Hosmer says.

"It’s really crazy," Sal Perez says.

Mike Moustakas is day-to-day with a hamstring injury.

Frank White returned to Kauffman Stadium last night to be honored as part of the "Franchise Four."

"You’re the man," White told Alcides Escobar.

"Congratulations, Frank," Royals general manager Dayton Moore said during a handshake. An old friend had returned to Kauffman Stadium on official business for the first time in four years. White was recognized as one of the Royals’ Franchise Four, a fan-voting honor conducted by Major League Baseball. And White was honored.

"To be singled out like this, it’s humbling," White said. "It’s a tribute to the fans, and I’m here to honor them."

Ben Zobrist has been amazing at getting on base since being acquired by the Royals.

The Royals were 61-39 (.610 winning percentage) before the second baseman/outfielder joined the lineup July 30. They've gone 19-11 since, a .633 clip. Over those 30 games (one of which he sat out), Zobrist has a .414 on-base percentage, 22 points better than designated hitter Kendrys Morales' OBP during that span and tied for 12th in the majors. Zobrist has gotten on base 53 times in his first 29 games with the Royals, one of the best marks by an American League player to arrive via a midseason trade in the last 10 seasons.

Joba Chamberlain takes his trip to the minor leagues with Omaha in stride.

"When you get older, your ego goes to the side," he said. "You grow up. I have only pitched a few times here." And Chamberlain welcomes the opportunity to reaffirm his eventual big league stature.

"Everything happens for a reason," he said. "Sometimes you take a step back to take two steps forward. I didn't spend much time in the Minor Leagues early in my career.

"I am able to see things differently. I can step back and see what these guys go through. Everything happened so fast for me that first time that it was a blur."

Dayton Moore likes the depth Jonny Gomes gives the Royals.

"He's a proven winner," Moore said. "He will give [manager] Ned [Yost] more options. And it adds to our depth as we move forward."...

"The complexion of our roster is constantly changing," Moore said. "If we're fortunate enough to make it to the playoffs, [Gomes] will be in consideration."

Vahe Gregorian profiles the Royals' latest acquisition.

That persona was part of his appeal to many teams and now the Royals, who put a premium on clubhouse chemistry and fit. Moore and manager Ned Yost were as emphatic about that as anything when they spoke of Gomes, 34, and his history supports that this is a tremendous addition to that mix.

"A student of the game, first and foremost. Knows himself as a player and knows his role," Red Sox manager John Farrell told reporters covering the Red Sox when they played the Braves in spring training.

"He was a leader even though he wasn’t an everyday player. "He made others around him believe in themselves even more so. He always had a flair for saying the right thing at the right time."

Jonny Gomes talks about his trade to Kansas City.

Zach Hodgson of Royals Blue looks at why Jonny Gomes makes sense for this roster.

MLB.com has its Top 30 Royals prospect list out.

Here are your complete Arizona Fall League rosters.

Oh great, Madison Bumgarner is on fire lately.

Rob Neyer talks to the authors of a new book that looks at the inner workings of baseball team management over the years.

The Sporting News looks at the worst September pennant collapse for each team.

Commissioner Rob Manfred denies a petition to reinstate banned outfielder Shoeless Joe Jackson.

Sony modified its upcoming film "Concussion" to get NFL licensing.

The Chiefs make some cuts to get down to 75 players.

The most -anticipated video games coming out this fall.

Can we digitize all the physical media in the world?

Is Silicon Valley in another bubble?

Game of Thrones may be hinting at what happens next season with its set location.

Kermit the Frog moves quickly after his breakup with Miss Piggy.

Your song of the day is The Smashing Pumpkins with "Pox."