Royals Rumblings - News for May 22, 2017

Royals Rumblings - News for May 22, 2017

The Royals will have to juggle their rotation this week.

The effort raised more questions for a starting rotation that has been skimping by at the edges. Karns could wind up venturing to the 10-day disabled list, though club officials do not believe his injury issues will linger long term. Kennedy is healthy, at least. But right now, Yost is also still searching for a starting pitcher for Thursday in New York, the final game of a four-game series at Yankee Stadium.

The Royals will begin the series with Jason Vargas, Danny Duffy and Jason Hammel, respectively. The final game remains uncertain. It is unlikely to be Karns, barring a rapid recovery. It could, however, be Kennedy, who was pulled after two innings Sunday to keep that an option.

“He’s slated to throw Friday,” Yost said. “But if we want to bring him back a day early on Thursday … it’s an option.”

Nate Karns has some tightness and fluid near the elbow.

“We’ll see what everyone feels comfortable with and go from there,” Karns told The Star. “But I’m not alarmed by it. I don’t think it’s a season-ending injury or something that’s going to be an extended period of time. If I do go on the DL, I think it’ll be short term and then right back out there.”

Lee Judge notes that Kelvin Herrera is getting beat on his secondary stuff.

Herrera has given up five home runs this season and only one came on a fastball; probably because it was a 2-0 fastball that Carlos Santana was looking for.

To be fair, a pitcher can’t just throw fastball after fastball; no matter how hard a pitcher throws, big league hitters will time those fastballs if they see enough of them. And once a reliever gets in the game, he doesn’t have much time to figure out which pitches are working.

But if a pitcher is struggling with a secondary pitch, the catcher can call for it when the pitcher doesn’t have to throw a strike; the pitcher can bounce it in the dirt to get a feel for it.

Ken Rosenthal assesses the Royals trade assets.

Center fielder Lorenzo Cain might end up as the Royals’ most valuable trade asset in the coming months, posits Rosenthal, who relays that the team isn’t convinced first baseman Eric Hosmer would bring back a “sufficient return.” Hosmer’s hitting a solid .299/.362/.408 in 174 PAs, but that’s not great production relative to his position, and first base typically isn’t an in-demand area around the deadline, notes Rosenthal. The same goes for third base, which could make it difficult for the Royals to move Mike Moustakas – another of their high-profile impending free agents – for a sizable return. Meanwhile, pitchers Jason Vargas, Kelvin Herrera and Mike Minor are also names to watch as the Royals potentially prepare to sell.

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe thinks the Royals will be reluctant to deal Cain.

Cain is perhaps the free agent-to-be the Royals would least like to trade because they feel they might be able to re-sign him. Yet he’s also the player most in demand among himself and teammates Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer, who are also upcoming free agents. The Royals have significant players to deal, but they may not get maximum return if they decide to trade them. “Some teams may be hesitant to give up much for rent-a-players,” said one American League GM.

Vahe Gregorian profiles Jason Vargas, who isn’t exactly “Mr. Personality.”

“No, no, definitely got no entertaining talents,” he said, smiling.

Or as his father, Joe put it: “Jason talked to you? He’s normally mute.”

Paulo Orlando is expected to be out 6-8 weeks for Omaha.

The Royals release pitcher Kyle Bartsch, who they had signed after trading him away for Reymond Fuentes.

Clint Scoles at Baseball Prospectus Kansas City profiles potential draft prospect Austin Beck.

The Dodgers could use Brett Eibner as a pitcher?

Cuban free agent outfielder Luis Robert signs with the White Sox.

The Braves acquire Matt Adams from the Cardinals.

The Brewers think the Cubs postponed a game for reasons other than rain.

Giancarlo Stanton is frustrated at the Marlins slow start.

Before his velocity drop, Jered Weaver was a pretty good pitcher.

Can Joey Gallo sustain his extreme swing?

A college summer league in Canada will be getting its first female pitcher.

The five stages of being a surprise contender.

John Terry says goodbye to Chelsea.

The NBA’s Enes Kanter was detained in Romania after being critical of the government of his native Turkey.

A writer comes to terms with the realization that the woman that helped raise him was actually his family’s slave.

Everyone is looking at strange star dimming and wondering - is it aliens?

Why a bunch of virtual rabbits are dying in Second Life this week.

Your song of the day is Blur with Coffee and TV.