KANSAS CITY ROYALS NEWS

Jon Heasley - Struggles in season debut Heasley (0-1) took the loss after allowing one run on four hits and four walks across 3.1 innings during Thursday's 3-1 loss to the Rangers. He struck out one.

Impact Heasley made three starts for the Royals last year, but he started the 2022 campaign at Triple-A. The youngster struggled out of the gate in his season debut, giving up two single, a walk and a run during the first inning, but he was able to settle down until he was pulled with a one-out, bases-loaded jam in the fourth. Amir Garrett replaced Heasley and was able to escape the inning without giving up a run. Heasley's next start is tentatively scheduled for the second half of Kansas City's double-header against the White Sox on Tuesday.

MAY 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Rockies aim to break 4-game skid, take on the Royals

The Colorado Rockies aim to stop their four-game slide when they take on the Kansas City Royals

MAY 13, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Garrett thriving in big moments for Royals ARLINGTON -- When Royals starter Jonathan Heasley got into a bind in the fourth inning Thursday night against the Rangers, loading the bases...

MAY 13, 2022 • MLB.COM

Kansas City Royals offense can't get going during 3-1 loss to Rangers in series finale Jon Heasley ran up a high pitch count with four walks in his first outing in his home state.

MAY 13, 2022 • KANSASCITY.COM

Hearn pitches 1-hit ball for 5 innings, Texas beats Royals

Taylor Hearn allowed only one hit in five scoreless innings, Brad Miller homered and the Texas Rangers defeated the Kansas City Royals 3-1

MAY 13, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Andrew Benintendi, Royals go to arbitration: $8.5M vs $7.3M Outfielder Andrew Benintendi went to arbitration with the Kansas City Royals, asking for $8.5 million instead of the team’s $7.3 million off...

MAY 12, 2022 • SANDIEGOUNIONTRIBUNE.COM

Andrew Benintendi, Royals go to arbitration: $8.5M vs $7.3M

Outfielder Andrew Benintendi went to arbitration with the Kansas City Royals, asking for $8.5 million instead of the team’s $7.3 million offer

MAY 12, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

MJ Melendez - Not in Thursday's lineup Melendez will sit Thursday against Texas, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Impact Melendez started five out of the Royals' first six games after he earned his first career call-up in early May, but the lefty-hitting rookie has now been on the bench for two in a row against left-handed starting pitchers. Sebastian Rivero will get the start behind the plate, while Salvador Perez serves as the designated hitter.

MAY 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Ryan O'Hearn - Sits against lefty O'Hearn is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rangers, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Impact With southpaw Taylor Hearn on the hill for Texas, the lefty-hitting O'Hearn will give way in the lineup to the righty-hitting Emmanuel Rivera, who came off the bench to replace him in Wednesday's 8-2 win and provided a three-run triple in his lone at-bat. O'Hearn should still find himself in the large side of a platoon at first base or designated hitter until Carlos Santana (ankle) is ready to return from the injured list.

MAY 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Emmanuel Rivera - Draws start after three-RBI game Rivera will start at third base and bat sixth in Thursday's game against the Rangers, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Impact After coming off the bench to provide a three-run triple in Wednesday's 8-2 win, Rivera will be rewarded with his second start in three games. The righty-hitting Rivera should have a good chance of sticking in the lineup when the Royals face left-handed pitching, either as a replacement for Ryan O'Hearn or MJ Melendez.

MAY 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Kris Bubic - Sent to Triple-A Bubic was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Thursday, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Impact Bubic lost his place in the rotation last week after posting an awful 13.14 ERA and 8:11 K:BB through his first five starts. He moved to the bullpen but made just one appearance there before losing his spot on the active roster entirely. Jon Heasley, who will start Thursday against the Rangers, was recalled to take his place on the roster.

MAY 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Jon Heasley - Recalled prior to start Heasley was recalled from Triple-A Omaha on Thursday, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

Impact Heasley made three starts for the Royals last year, and he'll make his first major-league appearance of the 2022 season as the starter Thursday against the Royals. The 25-year-old made six starts in Omaha to begin the year, posting a 4.44 ERA, 30:4 K:BB and 0.96 WHIP in 26.1 innings. Kris Bubic was sent down to make room for Heasley on the active roster.

MAY 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Nick Pratto - Back from injured list Pratto (undisclosed) was activated from the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Omaha. He'll bat second and play first base versus Triple-A Iowa.

Impact Pratto saw just a minimum stint on the injured list. He'll look to build upon a solid start to the season that saw him slash .250/.323/.477 with five home runs, 17 RBI, 14 runs scored and two stolen bases in his first 23 games.

MAY 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

One reason why KC Royals' Whit Merrifield hit a home run: He was 'feeling sexy' This was an entertaining interview with Whit Merrifield after the Royals beat the Rangers.

MAY 12, 2022 • KANSASCITY.COM

Bobby Witt Jr. plays key role in Kansas City Royals win over Rangers on dad's birthday The Texas native drove in three runs in an 8-2 win over his hometown Rangers in Arlington.

MAY 12, 2022 • KANSASCITY.COM

Royals' Mike Matheny on 8-2 win over Texas Rangers Kansas City Royals manager Mike Matheny talks with reporters following an 8-2 win over the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, on May 11, 202...

MAY 12, 2022 • KANSASCITY.COM

Royals' Whit Merrifield homers, scores four to beat Texas Rangers Kansas City Royals infielder/outfielder Whit Merrifield went 3 for 4 with a home run, a stolen base and four runs scored in an 8-2 win again...

MAY 12, 2022 • KANSASCITY.COM

Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. drives in 3 runs in win over the Rangers Kansas City Royals rookie Bobby Witt Jr. drives in 3 runs in an 8-2 win over the Texas Rangers. Witt Jr. is a Texas native, and his father p...

MAY 12, 2022 • KANSASCITY.COM

Bobby Witt Jr. - Plates three in win Witt went 1-for-5 with a double and three RBI in Wednesday's 8-2 win over the Rangers.

Impact Hitting leadoff for the third straight game, Witt was able to snap a five-game run without an RBI. He knocked in a pair with a fifth-inning double and added another on a fielder's choice in the seventh. With Adalberto Mondesi (knee) out for the year, Witt's seen a little more time at shortstop, but third base remains his primary position. The 21-year-old is slashing .219/.248/.324 with a home run, 10 RBI, 10 runs scored and five stolen bases through 109 plate appearances this season.

MAY 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Gabe Speier - Pitches two clean innings Speier didn't allow a baserunner in two innings, striking out one in a no-decision Wednesday versus the Rangers.

Impact Wednesday's was a bullpen game for the Royals, and Speier got it started the right way before turning the ball over to Joel Payamps. Through eight outings, Speier has yet to allow a run or issue a walk. The southpaw has racked up eight strikeouts while allowing just three hits over 11.1 innings, though he's yet to record a decision, a save or a hold. His success as an opener Wednesday could lead to him seeing more time in that role later in the year if necessary.

MAY 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Nicky Lopez - Notches first theft Lopez went 1-for-4 with a stolen base and a run in Wednesday's win over Texas.

Impact Lopez used his legs to help generate a run in the ninth inning, reaching on a single, taking part in a double-steal with Whit Merrifield and subsequently coming around to score. The theft was his first of the campaign. Lopez went 22-for-23 in stolen-base attempts last season, but he hadn't even attempted a steal in 2022 before Wednesday.

MAY 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Whit Merrifield - Homers, steals base in big effort Merrifield went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, four total runs and a stolen base in a win over the Rangers on Wednesday.

Impact Merrifield has struggled so much this season that he was dropped to the eighth spot in the order Tuesday. He responded with a single and an RBI in his first game in that position, then broke through Wednesday with his first three-hit game and first long ball of the campaign. Merrifield also notched his first stolen base since April 14. The second baseman hasn't hit any lower than .277 in any of his six big-league campaigns, so it stands to reason that he'll break out of his early-season funk at some point. His performance Wednesday may very well be the spark that gets him going.

MAY 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Joel Payamps - Takes win as bulk reliever Payamps (1-1) pitched three scoreless innings against Texas on Wednesday, allowing two hits and no walks while striking out five to earned the win.

Impact Kansas City deployed seven pitchers in the bullpen game, with Payamps entering in the third inning behind opener Gabe Speier. Payamps handled the most innings among the Royals' pitchers, throwing 39 pitches (26 of which were strikes) over three frames to pick up the win. The right-hander has posted a 2.08 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 11:3 K:BB across 13 innings on the season.

MAY 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Rangers Turn In Another 'Sloppy' Performance; Fall to Royals, 8-2 Poor hitting and abysmal defense encapsulated a “sloppy” performance by the Texas Rangers in their 8-2 loss to the Kansas City Royals.

MAY 12, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Bullpen flexes in Texas as Royals roll ARLINGTON -- The bullpen game the Royals decided on Wednesday couldn’t have worked out better in their 8-2 win over the Rangers at Globe Lif...

MAY 12, 2022 • MLB.COM