DREW WATERS NEWS

Two hits, two runs in season debut Waters went 2-for-4 with two runs scored in Friday's 12-10 loss to the Nationals.

Impact Waters missed nearly two full months to begin the season due to a severe oblique strain. He made a solid impact from the No. 9 spot in the order, though he also struck out twice. He struck out at a 37 percent clip in a 32-game sample last year, so he'll need to get that under control to minimize the batting average risk. Waters slashed .240/.324/.479 in 2022 -- there's enough power here to be of interest in fantasy, particularly if he runs with a starting role in center field.

MAY 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Activated for season debut Waters was activated from the 10-day injured list by the Royals on Friday.

Impact Waters has been out all season following a severe oblique strain suffered in late February and also a back issue earlier this month. He's ready to roll now, though, after putting up a robust .327/.397/.635 batting line with two home runs and two stolen bases over 13 rehab games with Triple-A Omaha. Waters is starting in center field Friday and is a good bet to see the lion's share of playing time there at least until Kyle Isbel (hamstring) returns and perhaps longer. The 24-year-old is worth picking up in deeper roto leagues.

MAY 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Excelling on rehab assignment Waters (oblique) has played in 13 games during his rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha and has slashed .327/.397/.635 with two home runs and two stolen bases across 58 plate appea...

Impact Waters began the assignment May 9 and is thus nearing the end of the maximum 20-day rehab window afforded to all position players who reside on the major-league injured list. Given how well he's performed in addition to the lack of production that the Royals have received this season from the likes of Edward Olivares (.689 OPS), Jackie Bradley (.438 OPS) and the injured Kyle Isbel (.602 OPS), Waters could get a look in an everyday role in the outfield once he's activated from the 10-day IL, likely within the next few days. Waters' high strikeout rate in the majors a season ago will make him a batting-average risk, but the combination of power and speed that he offers is enough to make him a worthy speculative pickup in deeper mixed leagues.

MAY 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared for rehab assignment Waters (oblique/back) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Impact Waters had initially been in line to start a rehab assignment last week but was held up when his back tightened up. He's apparently over that now and will look to shake off some rust as he sees his first game action since suffering an oblique strain back in late February. Given the long layoff, Waters figures to need a good number of plate appearances with Omaha before he's activated.

MAY 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Being evaluated for back tightness Waters (oblique) felt lower back tightness on a swing during a swing over the weekend, and is staying at the Royals' spring training facility in Arizona to be evaluated, Anne Roger...

Impact Waters was scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha this weekend, but that has understandably been paused. The outfielder could still begin action in the International League if things come back clear in the evaluation, but it now seems unlikely he'll be able to return for the Royals until the middle of May.

MAY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Starting rehab assignment Waters (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.

Impact It's been a long road back from a severe oblique strain for Waters, but he's finally ready for game action. Because he missed all of spring training, he figures to need a good number of plate appearances on his rehab assignment before being activated. When Waters does return, he should be given a shot at everyday playing time or close to it.

MAY 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ready for rehab assignment Royals general manager J.J. Picollo said Sunday that Waters (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Omaha during the upcoming week, Josh Vernier of 610 Sports Kansas Ci...

Impact Waters has been on the mend from a left oblique strain since late February, so he'll likely require at least a week's worth of games at Omaha to get his timing back at the plate before the Royals are comfortable bringing him back from the 10-day injured list. The 7-21 Royals entered play Sunday having scored the second-fewest runs in the majors, so it wouldn't be surprising if Waters got a look in a near-everyday role once he's formally activated.

APRIL 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nearing live action Waters (oblique) is expected to see playing time in spring games later this week, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Impact Waters was placed on the 10-day injured list at the end of March due to a left oblique strain, and he's nearing live action in extended spring games. Rogers notes that he's on his own spring training progression, which likely means he'll need some time to ramp up before being activated, especially after missing the majority of spring training.

APRIL 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Placed on 10-day IL Waters (oblique) was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Impact Waters was always expected to miss the first part of the season while recovering from an oblique strain suffered early in camp. Once he's healthy, the switch hitting 24-year-old should contend for a starting spot in the outfield.

MARCH 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Going through defensive drills Waters (oblique) will participate in team defensive drills Thursday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Impact Waters has not yet been cleared to swing a bat, but he's making progress with his left oblique strain. The former Atlanta prospect might have been the Royals' Opening Day center fielder had he been healthy, but he's expected to be sidelined for at least the first few weeks of the season.

MARCH 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Out six weeks with oblique strain Waters will be sidelined for six weeks after being diagnosed with a left oblique strain, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Impact Waters suffered the injury a few days ago and tests confirmed that he has a strain. He had been slated to compete for the Opening Day center field job, but now Kyle Isbel is in the driver's seat for that assignment. It should open up more corner outfield chances for Nate Eaton, Edward Olivares and Samad Taylor.

FEBRUARY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Tweaks oblique Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Monday that Waters will be re-evaluated in a few days after recently tweaking an oblique muscle, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Impact Even if Waters is merely dealing with a mild oblique strain, the injury is typically more than a day-to-day concern, so the switch-hitting outfielder will most likely be sidelined for at least a handful of Cactus League games. Though the Royals' uninspiring depth chart in the outfield presents a strong opportunity for Waters to break camp with an everyday role, the 24-year-old's oblique injury could be something that costs him enough time to solidify a starting spot.

FEBRUARY 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Drives in four runs Waters went 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBI in Monday's 5-2 win over Cleveland.

Impact Waters opened the game's scoring with an RBI single in the second inning before belting the go-ahead, three-run shot in the 10th. The rookie outfielder has gotten hot down the stretch; he's gone deep four times while hitting .394 (13-for-33) over his last 10 games. The rookie outfielder is slashing .261/.350/.523 through 30 games and he's making a good impression for the 2023 campaign.

OCTOBER 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Waters hits 3-run homer in 10th, Royals beat Guardians 5-2

Rookie Drew Waters belted a three-run homer off Kirk McCarty in the 10th inning, sending the Kansas City Royals to a 5-2 victory over the AL Central champion Cleveland Guardians

OCTOBER 4, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Earns playing time to close season Waters will start in left field and bat eighth in Monday's game against the Guardians.

Impact He'll be picking up his fourth straight start in the outfield after going 4-for-11 with two home runs and a double over the weekend. As a result of Waters' surge, Edward Olivares has been moved out of the outfield and is seeing more playing time as the Royals' designated hitter, resulting in Hunter Dozier being squeezed out of the lineup more frequently.

OCTOBER 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Homers again Saturday Waters went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a double and two total runs scored in Saturday's 7-1 win over the Guardians.

Impact Waters went deep for the second straight game, lifting a solo shot in the sixth inning to give the Royals a 5-0 lead. The 23-year-old outfielder is up to four homers, 13 RBI, 12 runs scored, six doubles and a triple while slashing .250/.341/.500 through 28 contests. While he doesn't have a clear path to an everyday role, he's been able to fill in regularly at all three outfield positions to get playing time down the stretch.

OCTOBER 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Pops homer in loss Waters went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Friday's 6-3 loss to the Guardians.

Impact Waters opened the scoring with his blast in the third inning. The outfielder has homered in two of his last six games, though he's seen his playing time slip with Edward Olivares back from the injured list after a two-month absence. Waters is up to a .237/.333/.447 slash line with three homers, 12 RBI, 10 runs scored, five doubles and a triple through his first 27 major-league contests.

OCTOBER 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Three-hit effort in loss Waters went 3-for-4 with an RBI triple and a run scored in Saturday's 6-5 loss to the Mariners.

Impact Waters' triple was the first of his major-league career after he hit 26 of them across five minor-league seasons. He's slipped into a part-time role since Edward Olivares returned from the injured list, but Waters is 6-for-11 with three extra-base hits and three RBI in his last three games. The rookie outfielder is slashing .242/.324/.439 with two home runs, 10 RBI and eight runs scored across 74 plate appearances. He has yet to attempt a stolen base in the majors.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Tallies second career homer Waters went 1-for-3 with a solo home run Thursday against the Twins.

Impact Waters was in the lineup for only the second time in the team's last six games. However, he took advantage of his opportunity Thursday by taking Josh Winder deep in the fifth inning for his second career home run. Across his first 71 career plate appearances, Waters has hit only .210 with a 33.8 percent strikeout rate.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Fades into reserve role Waters is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Twins, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.

Impact After overcoming an ankle injury to return to the lineup Sunday against the Red Sox, Waters will now head to the bench for the second straight game. While holding down a near-everyday role for the better part of the past month, the rookie has slashed .203/.299/.339 in 67 plate appearances. He now looks set to lose playing time with Edward Olivares back from an extended stint on the injured list.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Back in action Sunday Waters (ankle) is starting in center field and hitting eighth Sunday against the Red Sox.

Impact He dealt with a sore ankle earlier this week, but it was apparently a minor issue. Waters is 5-for-32 (.156 AVG) with 14 strikeouts (38.9 K%) in 13 games this month.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with sore ankle Waters was scratched Friday against Boston with a sore ankle, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.

Impact Waters was reportedly moving around fine during batting practice, and his initial diagnosis doesn't suggest a long-term absence is coming. Hunter Dozier entered the lineup in his absence.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Scratched from lineup Waters was scratched from the lineup for Friday's game against Boston for undisclosed reasons.

Impact It's not clear if an injury or illness is the reason for a change of plans, or if the Royals simply elected to go with a different starting nine. Hunter Dozier will enter the lineup in Waters' place, string in left field and pushing Nate Eaton to right.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Debut of Drew Waters Has Royals Excited for His Future Everyone involved in Waters’s special day — including him — is excited following his big-league debut.

AUGUST 23, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Supplies game-winning RBI in debut Waters went 0-for-3 with a walk, an RBI and a strikeout in Monday's 6-4 win over the White Sox.

Impact Waters wasn't able to get a hit in his major-league debut, but he still made a key contribution. He drew a bases-loaded walk to force in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning, and the Royals held on for the win. The 23-year-old is expected to cycle throughout the three outfield spots in an extended look in the majors after Nate Eaton was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Monday. Waters slashed .269/.345/.460 with 13 home runs, 18 stolen bases, 35 RBI and 60 runs scored in 82 minor-league games this year between the Atlanta and Kansas City systems before his call-up.

AUGUST 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE