Royals Rumblings

Royals Rumblings - News for March 7, 2019

Danny Duffy may be a no-go for Opening Day.

By Max Rieper@maxrieper Mar 7, 2019, 8:00am EST

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Royals Rumblings - News for March 7, 2019

The Royals react to Salvador Perez’s Tommy John surgery.

“There’s not going to be any panic,” Gordon said. “He’s been around the game for a while. Even though last year was his first year, he’s been around the game. He knows how to prepare. … Cam’s capable of filling in for him and doing a good job. We’re excited to see what he can do, but it’s definitely a big blow, no question about it. Salvy is our leader, so it’s tough. But we’ll all figure it out.”

The surgery went well.

From Dayton Moore: "We fully expect Salvy to return to our club once healthy and continue to play with the passion and enjoyment that he has played with since joining our organization....we will embrace this unforeseen challenge and are excited for the 2019 championship season.”
— Jeffrey Flanagan (@FlannyMLB) March 6, 2019

What about a replacement?

The Royals have been talking to Martin Maldonado, the most obvious potential Salvy replacement from the outside, but as of this moment there’s a gap and KC people don’t sound overly optimistic. That can change of course.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 7, 2019

Ned Yost is close to deciding his Opening Day starting pitcher, and it likely won’t be Danny Duffy.

Duffy just got clearance from the medical staff to resume a throwing program over the weekend, and he played catch on Monday and Wednesday with no issues. But while Yost said it is too soon to contemplate Duffy possibly starting the season on the injured list, Duffy is certainly behind the other starters in terms of throwing progression.

“We’ll just have to see with Danny,” Yost said. “We’re not going to rush him. We need him healthy.”

Alex Duvall at Royals Farm Report talks to infielder D.J. Burt.

Q: The Royals value speed more than most organizations, and you’ve clearly got plenty of it. How do you think you use your speed to give yourself a leg up on opposing teams?

DJ: “Just creating absolute speed on bases, stealing bags, I’m very aggressive first to third and just love putting pressure on the pitchers.”

Rustin Dodd profiles Royals coach Mike Jirschele.

Catcher M.J. Melendez has been giving back with charities this off-season.

Tanner Hendrix at Kings of Kauffman questions whether the Royals spent wisely.

Royals Assistant General Manager J.J. Piccolo and former players Chris Young and Chris Getz are named by Baseball America as some of the top GM candidates.

The Rangers sign reliever Jose LeClerc to a four-year contract extension.

Giants outfielder Cameron Maybin gets a DUI in Arizona.

Red Sox pitcher Stephen Wright is suspended 80 games for PED use.

MLB is considering an “Election Day” to determine All-Star starters, and expanded rosters as rule changes this year.

Bob Nightengale and John Smoltz propose a split-season for baseball.

The knuckleball is disappearing.

Baseball brings extra catchers to spring training, but pays them just per diem stipends.

The Cubs re-worked reliever Brad Brach’s deal once he tested positive for mono.

Luke Heimlich, who pleaded guilty to molestation charges, signs with a club in the Mexican League.

Here are all your Chiefs rumors as the off-season takes shape.

The University of Illinois may be taking up an otter as its official symbol.

Jeopardy host Alex Trebek is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.