HUNTER DOZIER NEWS

Returns from thumb injury Dozier (thumb) will start at third base and bat sixth Wednesday against Cleveland.

Impact Dozier had missed the Royals' past three games with a swollen right thumb, but manager Mike Matheny said the 29-year-old is a "full go" coming off Tuesday's off day, according to Alec Lewis of The Athletic. While Dozier may still wear some protection over the thumb while he waits for the inflammation to fully subside, it doesn't sound like it will have any effect on his hitting.

APRIL 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Bieber expected to start for Cleveland against Kansas City

The Kansas City Royals play the Cleveland Indians

APRIL 7, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Won't start Monday Dozier (thumb) is not in the lineup for Monday's game against Cleveland.

Impact Dozier bruised his thumb on Opening Day and hasn't gotten into a game since. He reportedly wanted to play in the series opener versus Cleveland, but the Royals will remain cautious with him for now, with Anne Rogers of MLB.com noting that Dozier will instead take some swings Monday. That seemingly suggests Dozier has a good chance to get back in the lineup Wednesday following Tuesday's off day. Hanser Alberto remains the starter at third base in his absence.

APRIL 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Cleveland hosts Kansas City for 2021 home opener

The Cleveland Indians hit the field for the first time in 2021 against the Kansas City Royals

APRIL 5, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

LEADING OFF: Braves-Nats wait to play, Rangers welcome fans

The Nationals and Atlanta Braves hadn’t heard by Sunday evening whether Major League Baseball will allow their game while Washington deals with a COVID-19 outbreak that could preve...

APRIL 4, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Lowe hits towering HR, Texas tops Royals to avoid sweep

Nate Lowe hit a towering, three-run homer and the Texas Rangers figured how to hold onto a big lead, beating the Kansas City Royals 7-3 for their first win of the season

APRIL 4, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Condition improving Manager Mike Matheny said that Dozier will put in a workout Sunday after he noticed a reduction in the swelling in his bruised right thumb, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Impact Dozier is out of the lineup for a second straight game Sunday against the Rangers, but Matheny noted that the 29-year-old could be available off the bench for the series finale depending on how he fares during the workout. He's being viewed as day-to-day for the time being and is seemingly on track to avoid a stint on the injured list.

APRIL 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Remains out of lineup Dozier (thumb) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Impact He'll take a seat for the second straight game while he recovers from a bruised/swollen right thumb. Kansas City still seems to be viewing Dozier as day-to-day, but a trip to the injured list could grow more likely if he remains out of the lineup for Monday's series opener in Cleveland. Hanser Alberto is covering third base in place of Dozier on Sunday.

APRIL 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Lyles expected to start for Texas at Kansas City

The Kansas City Royals take on the Texas Rangers

APRIL 4, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Taylor again stars at plate, Royals beat Rangers 11-4

Michael A

APRIL 3, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Thumb still swollen Dozier's thumb is still swollen Saturday but no roster move is imminent, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

Impact The Royals still don't think Dozier will miss much time, but it sounds like he is day-to-day at best, and a trip to the injured list can't be ruled out. Hanser Alberto figures to get starts at the hot corner until Dozier is able to return to the lineup.

APRIL 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Minor scheduled to start for Royals against Rangers

The Kansas City Royals square off against the Texas Rangers

APRIL 3, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Could return Saturday Dozier is dealing with swelling in his right thumb, but could return for Saturday's game, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Impact Manager Mike Matheny reported that Dozier wasn't very sore after the game. With a built in day off Friday, the team remains hopeful that Dozier will be able to return to the lineup for their second game of the campaign.

APRIL 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Suffers right thumb bruise Dozier left Thursday's game with a right thumb contusion, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Impact Dozier left the game at the conclusion of the seventh inning and is considered day-to-day. No further details were provided. Hanser Alberto entered the game at third base and could see an uptick in playing time if Dozier remains sidelined.

APRIL 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Hitting sixth in opener Dozier will start at third base and bat sixth in Thursday's season opener against the Rangers.

Impact After being rewarded with a four-year, $25 million extension early in spring training, Dozier stood out during the Cactus League season. He finished the spring with a .289/.373/.733 slash line and five home runs across 45 at-bats, an encouraging sign after he labored through a fairly underwhelming 2020 campaign that may have been affected by his positive COVID-19 test in summer camp. Dozier had been expected to begin the season as the Royals' No. 7 hitter, but he'll move up a spot in the lineup following Adalberto Mondesi's (oblique) surprise placement on the injured list Wednesday.

APRIL 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Rizzo ends talks; Odor getting cut; restrictions to loosen

Anthony Rizzo is cutting off talks with the Chicago Cubs on a new contract and is prepared to play the season as free agency looms after the World Series

MARCH 29, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Royals give Pérez 4-year, $82M deal; richest in team history

The Kansas City Royals have given six-time All-Star catcher Salvador Pérez the richest contract in club history, an $82 million, four-year deal that begins in 2022

MARCH 21, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Yanks star Stanton off to strong start after smashing finish

Giancarlo Stanton is picking up where he ended the postseason last year

MARCH 21, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Lester pitches 2 innings, returns from gland removal surgery

Jon Lester was back on a mound, wearing a Washington Nationals uniform while facing opposing batters for the first time in spring training and striking out a couple during his two...

MARCH 18, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Astros LHP Framber Valdez gets positive update on injury

The Houston Astros received a positive update on left-hander Framber Valdez on the same day Forrest Whitley had season-ending surgery on his right elbow

MARCH 18, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

After big offseason, Royals confident they can compete again

After four consecutive losing seasons, the Kansas City Royals are done with rebuilding

MARCH 17, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rosenthal: As Wander Franco looms, a way to prevent service-time games in the next CBA Plus Joey Votto's leadership, what's behind Hunter Dozier's contract, the Astros and the luxury-tax threshold, and more notes.

MARCH 9, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Column: A feel-good start to a feel-good baseball season

Feel-good stories weren’t hard to find as major league spring training games opened in Arizona and Florida

MARCH 2, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Royals make official Dozier deal for $25 million, four years The Royals made official their $25 million, four-year contract with third baseman Hunter Dozier on Monday, ensuring that another member of t...

MARCH 1, 2021 • WASHINGTONTIMES.COM

Royals make official Dozier deal for $25 million, four years KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Royals made official their $25 million, four-year contract with third baseman Hunter Dozier on Monday, ensuring...

MARCH 1, 2021 • OLEANTIMESHERALD.COM