Royals Rumblings - News for April 17, 2019

Royals Rumblings - News for April 17, 2019

Here is your update on Danny Duffy, from Lynn Worthy.

Duffy reported feeling good after having pitched four innings and 61 pitches on Monday, according to Royals manager Ned Yost.

Duffy’s next outing is scheduled for 5 innings at 75 to 80 pitches on Saturday. Yost wasn’t sure how close he was to going on a rehab assignment.

Martín Maldonado was a late scratch from last night’s game in Chicago.

“He’s sick,” Royals manager Ned Yost said of Maldonado. “He was going to take it easy and try to play. But it was like let him rest today. I was going to give tomorrow off, but he’ll probably play tomorrow, so it’s fine.”

Ned Yost explains why he didn’t pinch-run for Chris Owings on Monday.

“I’m not pinch-running for Owings,” Yost said before Tuesday’s game.

Yost said in Spring Training that the players he likely would use Gore for are Alex Gordon, Martin Maldonado, Cam Gallagher, Jorge Soler and Ryan O’Hearn. That list now would include Lucas Duda as well.

In his Mellinger Minutes, Sam talks about how the Royals develop power.

So, it’s not that they ignore power.

But I would say they prioritize it differently, and rightfully so. They have always chased athletes more than strength. Some of that is the big outfield, because brother, I saw Billy Butler play left field at Kauffman and it wasn’t pretty.

It’s the right strategy, in my opinion. You probably remember that in 2015, when the Royals were the best team in baseball, they hit just 139 home runs — next to last in the American League.

I don’t think you can get by with just flatly ignoring power, but I don’t think the Royals are out of line here. They can’t chase the same stuff everyone else chases. They need to be faster, more athletic, more versatile.

Leigh Oleszczak at KC Kingdom thinks the Royals could be competitive with a better bullpen.

A former Royals pitcher was going to be on the jury of a big lawsuit between Apple and Qualcomm before they settled.

Christian Yelich continues his home run rampage.

The dark, existential reality of pitching is here for Clayton Kershaw.

The Nationals are discussing a contract extension with Anthony Rendon.

Relievers are bad all over baseball, plus other early trends around the game.

Dan Szymborski at Fangraphs looks at hot starts to believe in.

Andy McCullough writes about Yasiel Puig’s complicated legacy in Los Angeles.

Barry Bonds’ 762nd home run ball could fetch $750k in an auction.

A behind-the-scenes look at the trade that sent Eli Manning to New York.

The Tampa Bay Lightning may have had the biggest sports playoff meltdown.

More people are cheating on their taxes, but fewer of them are going to jail.

Netflix will unveil “top ten lists” of most popular content.

Rob McElhenney and Martin Starr made cameos in the Game of Thrones season premiere that you probably missed.

Your song of the day is Vampire Weekend with Harmony Hall.