Royals Rumblings - News for July 18, 2017

Royals Rumblings - News for July 18, 2017

The Royals explain the Jorge Soler demotion.

This was not the first time Yost had used the comparison. It had also come earlier this month, when the Twins were visiting Kauffman Stadium. On Monday, he reiterated his point: Soler can be a “Sano-type player,” Yost said. But for now, his struggles at the plate had depressed his value as a regular player, so the Royals sent him back to Omaha to get consistent at-bats.

“It just doesn’t make any sense,” Yost said, “for him to be playing once or twice a week when he can be playing every day.”

Your update on Alcides Escobar, who left the game after being struck on the wrist by a pitch.

Travis Wood looks forward to his start tonight after a long layoff.

“I’m looking forward to it. It’s been awhile since I’ve been out there, but we’ve been (put) through several (bullpen sessions),” Wood said. “It’s more of a mindset thing … the only thing different from a pen and a game is there’s other guys trying to hit it.”

Pete Grathoff talks to Whit Merrifield about that oven mitt he wears.

“I asked for a mitt to cover my hand,” Merrifield said, “because I go (slide) head-first and I’ve had a couple times when I’ve almost been landed on or hit the base funny. I’m just trying to avoid an injury that might come about.”

Sean Thornton at Bleeding Royal Blue looks at Royals farmhands who could help out.

Maybe the most intriguing prospect that entered into Royals’ conversations is left-hander Richard Lovelady, a reliever stowed away down in AA Northwest Arkansas. The 6 ft. twenty-two year old is only in his second professional season and has been dominating this year between Wilmington and NW Arkansas. He is averaging over 11 strike outs per 9 and has not allowed an earned run since May 1st. In 42 innings this season, Lovelady has an ERA of 0.86 in 42 innings, allowing only 4 earned runs and striking out 52 in that span. His name has been tossed about more and more as a possibility in the Royals bullpen come September and could be in the vein of a Brandon Finnegan and his contribution to Kansas City back in 2014.

Dave Hogg at FanRag looks at the legacy of Mike Moustakas in Kansas City.

Lee Judge explains why a dropped flyball in the sun is ruled a “hit.”

The Oklahoma City Thunder mascot came to Kauffman and showed some baseball skills.

Library night is coming to the K.

How the Rockies learned to tame Coors Field.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today looks at where top trade targets could land.

The Braves made a strong bid for Jose Quintana.

How did the Diamondbacks end up with the best rotation in baseball?

Yankees first baseman Greg Bird is out for the year with foot surgery.

The Astros had a funeral for Carlos Beltran’s glove.

The Dodgers want $12 million for naming rights to their stadium.

The Carolina Panthers fired their GM, and players are thrilled.

The center position in the NBA is dying.

Are America’s schools bad or is it just a perception problem?

The search for the worst puns in restaurant names.

Why do TV shows need title sequences anymore?

Your song of the day is Cake with It’s Coming Down.