Royals Rumblings - News for August 3, 2020

Royals Rumblings - News for August 3, 2020

Lynn Worthy talks to Dayton Moore about aggressively promoting pitchers this year.

At the same time, Moore admitted the Royals front office and coaching staff went to spring training with the idea of getting Singer and Bubic into the starting rotation by mid-June or mid-July. That remained the plan through initial big-league camp in Surprise, Arizona.

Even without the minor-league season and the abnormal year that has been around baseball, the strides and progress by the two of them kept them on that same timetable of starting major-league games by this summer.

“I get it, it’s not as traditional as it has been in the past,” Moore said. “I was really pleased with the way Singer has approached things. I was very pleased with how Kris Bubic approached his start and how he managed through that game and continued to compete. He didn’t have his best command, but he made pitches and he kept attacking and he didn’t back down. I think that’s a huge testament and indicator of what type of pitcher he can ultimately become.”

Jeffrey Flanagan writes about the bullpen bailing out Ronald Bolaños.

“We see that good arm,” Royals manager Mike Matheny said. “He came out with a game plan and that was to use all of his weapons. He’s got such good stuff, but maybe you try to use too much instead of just being a master of a couple things that are working.”

The Royals optioned Bolaños to the Alternate Site to make room for Jakob Junis, and designated catcher Oscar Hernandez for assignment to make room for Cam Gallagher.

An update on some other Royals currently out:

Todd Fertig of the Topeka Capitol-Journal profiles outfielder Nick Heath.

“In the back of my mind, I believe I’m the fastest player in baseball,” said the exuberant Heath, grinning widely. “But probably not. There’s probably some people I’ve got to have a foot race with.

“Being here in the first place is just a blessing. The whole experience has been a dream come true. Wherever they need me to play and whatever they need me to do, I want to do it.”

Vahe Gregorian gets Danny Duffy’s thoughts on the pandemic.

We can do whatever we want, but we feel incredibly selfish if you go into any stores; you feel like you’re not doing the right thing, so to speak,” he said, noting that many in the world are facing deep losses and issues right now and adding, “So if we’re complaining about staying in a really nice hotel room a little longer than we’d like to, I feel like we’re probably not really coming from the right perspective.”

Denny Matthews talks about broadcasting Royals games from his home.

Pete Grathoff explains why there is a cut-out of Marlins Man at Kauffman Stadium.

Kevin O’Brien at Royals Reporter comes up with his all-time Royals lineup.

Mike Gillespie at Kings of Kauffman writes the bullpen reclamation projects are working out.

Former Royals outfielder Lorenzo Cain has decided to opt out of the season.

Yoenis Cespedes opts out as well, but no before the Mets couldn’t find him.

Commissioner Rob Manfred insists baseball will keep playing, but says players need to do a better job.

Joey Votto goes on the Injured List with COVID-19 symptoms, but no positive test.

Tres Barrera sues MLB over his 80-game suspension for banned substances.

Former Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer lands on the Injured List with gastritis.

Boston pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez is out for the year with a heart issue associated with COVID-19.

What will a year off do to a player’s skills?

The NPB in Japan has their first postponement due to a positive COVID-19 test.

Stephanie Apstein at Sports Illustrated asks whether baseball wants a legitimate season or a safe one.

Arsenal tops Chelsea in the FA Cup.

How the 1918 pandemic affected football.

How a cheese goes extinct.

Actor James Hong may have the most credits out of anyone in Hollywood.

The 2020 Hugo Award winners for sci-fi.

Your song of the day is Razorlight with In the Morning.