KANSAS CITY ROYALS NEWS

Kyle Isbel - Bows out of lineup vs. lefty Isbel is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers.

Impact The lefty-hitting Isbel will retreat to the bench with southpaw Tarik Skubal on the bump for Detroit, but the 25-year-old still looks as though he'll see the majority of the starts in right field for the time being. Isbel was included in the lineup in four of the past six contests, while Edward Olivares started in three of those contests. The righty-hitting Olivares -- who is serving as Kansas City's designated hitter Sunday -- may end up settling into the short side of a platoon with Isbel.

JULY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Hunter Dozier - Sits for series finale Dozier is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers.

Impact Dozier will take a seat after going 6-for-19 with a home run, two doubles, a walk and three RBI while starting each of the past five games at either first base or as a designated hitter. Vinnie Pasquantino will handle first base Sunday, while Edward Olivares gets a look as the Royals' DH.

JULY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

MJ Melendez - Gets rest amid slump Melendez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers.

Impact Melendez has started each of the Royals' last 12 games as either a catcher, right fielder or designated hitter, going 6-for-44 with 12 strikeouts over that span. The Royals will extend the slumping rookie a breather for the series finale, but Melendez should continue to shoulder one of the heavier workloads among catchers while top backstop Salvador Perez (thumbs) remains on the injured list. Cam Gallagher will replace Melendez behind the dish Sunday.

JULY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Mike Matheny Defends Decision to Stick With Joel Payamps vs. Tigers Matheny cites availability as one reason why he left Payamps in the game.

JULY 3, 2022 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Mike Matheny Defends Decision to Stick With Joel Payamps vs. Tigers Matheny cites availability as one reason why he left Payamps in the game.

JULY 3, 2022 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

Detroit Tigers game score vs. Kansas City Royals: TV, radio info for Sunday's series finale The Detroit Tigers take on the Kansas City Royals at 12:05 p.m. at Comerica Park. The game will be broadcast on WXYT-FM and online-only on P...

JULY 3, 2022 • FREEP.COM

Tigers and Royals play in series rubber match

The Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals play on Sunday with the winner claiming the three-game series

JULY 3, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Whit Merrifield - Collects another steal Merrifield went 2-for-4 with an RBI, a stolen base and a run scored in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Tigers.

Impact Merrifield has notched six of his 13 stolen bases this year in his last 14 games, showing a renewed commitment to running. In that span, he's gone 15-for-55 (.273), lifting his season slash line to .233/.282/.317 across 76 contests. He's added three home runs, 33 RBI and 38 runs scored as the Royals' everyday leadoff hitter. Given the recent progress at the plate and fearlessness on the basepaths, Merrifield's looking more reliable in fantasy now than he was even two weeks ago, though he still shouldn't be counted on for power.

JULY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Joel Payamps - Handed loss in return Payamps (2-2) allowed two runs on two hits and struck out two over 1.1 innings, taking the loss Saturday versus the Tigers.

Impact Payamps pitched the eighth inning and stayed in the contest, giving him a chance at a two-inning save. That backfired when he allowed back-to-back solo shots to Victor Reyes and Riley Greene, the latter being a walkoff homer. It was a rude welcome back for Payamps after he spent nearly three weeks on the COVID-19 injured list. The 28-year-old has a 2.96 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 21:11 K:BB through 27.1 innings this year, pitching mainly in a low-leverage role. The homers he allowed Saturday were the first two he's given up all year after yielding six long balls in 50.1 innings last season.

JULY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Inefficiency sinks Bubic again as win slips away DETROIT -- The frustration was written all over Kris Bubic’s face as he strode purposefully off the field after manager Mike Matheny took th...

JULY 3, 2022 • MLB.COM

Kris Bubic - Another short outing Bubic registered a no-decision during Saturday's 4-3 loss to Detroit, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks with four strikeouts in 4.2 innings.

Impact Bubic started slowly with one run permitted on three baserunners in the first inning but rebounded well to get through the next three frames relatively easily. He then surrendered another run on three baserunners in the fifth and departed with two runners on that were neutralized when reliever Jose Cuas retired Willi Castro to end the inning. The 24-year-old has now pitched fewer than five innings in seven of 11 starts and is averaging under four innings per start. Bubic's 5.56 FIP and 4.81 xFIP suggest his 7.06 ERA stands to improve, though his 1.87 WHIP ranks fourth worst among the 248 pitchers who have thrown at least 30 innings. He's currently scheduled to oppose Houston midweek for his next start.

JULY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Báez-Garrett feud continues to smolder during Tigers' 4-3 win over Royals Báez was asked if he wished Garrett had stayed in the game so he could've faced him: \

JULY 3, 2022 • DETROITNEWS.COM

Tigers stun Royals with back-to-back homers to win in ninth DETROIT — The Tigers were dead in the water. No hits since the fifth inning.

JULY 3, 2022 • SACBEE.COM

Tigers stun Royals with back-to-back homers to win in ninth DETROIT — The Tigers were dead in the water. No hits since the fifth inning.

JULY 3, 2022 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

Payamps, Kansas City Royals lose to Tigers on back-to-back homers in bottom of ninth Bubic didn’t make it through 5 innings, but he handed a lead over to the bullpen.

JULY 2, 2022 • KANSASCITY.COM

Reyes, Greene homer in 9th, send Tigers past Royals 4-3

Victor Reyes and Riley Greene hit back-to-back homers in the ninth inning to give the Detroit Tigers a 4-3 win over the Kansas City Royals

JULY 2, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Newest Kansas City Royals relief pitcher lands in Detroit to close out 'whirlwind' week The right-hander warmed up in the bullpen on Friday night, but it wasn’t exactly warming up.

JULY 2, 2022 • KANSASCITY.COM

Daniel Mengden - Outrighted to Triple-A Mengden was outrighted to Triple-A Omaha on Saturday.

Impact Mengden joined the major-league roster as a replacement player after Joel Payamps (illness) landed on the COVID-19 injured list, but he'll head back to the minors after Payamps was activated Saturday. Mengden made four relief appearances during his time in the majors, and he posted a 2.08 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with one save in 4.1 innings.

JULY 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Joel Payamps - Reinstated from injured list Payamps (illness) was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list Saturday.

Impact Payamps landed on the COVID-19 IL on June 13, but he spent the last week on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Omaha. He posted a 6.23 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in 4.1 innings over three minor-league appearances and will rejoin the Royals' bullpen after right-hander Daniel Mengden was outrighted to Omaha on Saturday.

JULY 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Brady Singer - Next start pushed to Sunday Singer, who initially scheduled to start Saturday's game in Detroit, will instead take the hill for Sunday's series finale, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

Impact Kris Bubic will instead pick up his second start of the week Saturday before Singer returns to the mound Sunday on six days' rest. The Royals likely just wanted to extend Singer some extra recovery time after he tossed a season-high 8.1 innings and 99 pitches in his most recent outing June 26 against the Athletics.

JULY 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Whit Merrifield - Adds steal in win Merrifield went 1-for-3 with a double, a stolen base, a run scored and a walk in Friday's 3-1 win over the Tigers.

Impact Merrifield had a lengthy stretch without a steal, but he's now posted five thefts in his last 13 contests. He's gone 13-for-51 (.255) in that span. The 33-year-old is up to a .230/.280/.315 slash line with 12 steals in 14 attempts, three home runs, 32 RBI, 37 runs scored and 17 doubles in 75 contests. Despite his career-worst batting line, he's still regularly serving as the leadoff hitter in an everyday role.

JULY 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers play in game 2 of series

The Kansas City Royals lead 1-0 in a three-game series against the Detroit Tigers

JULY 2, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Royals pitcher Brad Keller tossed six scoreless to get the win in Detroit Kansas City Royals pitcher Brad Keller held the Tigers scoreless for six innings in a 3-1 win at Comerica Park in Detroit on July 1, 2022.

JULY 2, 2022 • KANSASCITY.COM

Royals rookie Vinnie Pasquantino hit his first MLB home run Kansas City Royals rookie first baseman/designated hitter Vinnie Pasquantino discusses hitting his first major-league home run and the confu...

JULY 2, 2022 • KANSASCITY.COM

Scott Barlow - Secures 11th save Barlow allowed one run and recorded one strikeout over 1.1 innings while recording a save over Detroit on Friday. He gave up one hit and walked one batter.

Impact Eric Haase broke up the Royals' combined shutout with a sacrifice fly against Barlow in the ninth. Still, Barlow was able to convert his 11th save of the year and his sixth since the start of June. His season ERA is up to 2.31 with a 35:11 K:BB through 35 innings. Over his last 13 appearances, Barlow has coughed up five runs while striking out 16 batters.

JULY 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE