Smith's tiebreaking homer lifts Arizona past Royals 8-6
Pavin Smith and pinch-hitter Jordan Luplow homered in a five-run sixth inning to help the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Kansas City Royals 8-6MAY 25, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
KYLE ISBEL #28 - CENTER FIELDER - KANSAS CITY ROYALS
8 HR •
42 RBI •
.229 AVG
8 HR
42 RBI
.229 AVG
Late scratch Tuesday Isbel was scratched from Tuesday's lineup against the Diamondbacks for precautionary reasons due to mild illness symptoms, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.
Impact Isbel was penciled in to start in center field Tuesday, but he was removed from the lineup an hour before first pitch. The 25-year-old should be considered day-to-day until the team updates his status. Dairon Blanco will start in center field in his place.
MAY 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Adds steal Sunday Isbel went 1-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base in Sunday's 7-6 loss to the Twins.
Impact Isbel has hit safely in the last five games, going 8-for-17 (.471) with two doubles, two RBI, two steals and a run scored in that span. The outfielder has benefited from more playing time with Michael Taylor (illness) on the COVID-19 injured list, though it's unclear if Isbel has forced his way into more than just a fourth-outfielder role once the Royals' outfield is fully healthy. The 25-year-old owns a .278/.286/.352 slash line with no homers, four RBI, six runs scored and two steals across 56 plate appearances this year.
MAY 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Two hits, steal in loss Isbel went 2-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored in Thursday's 7-4 loss to the White Sox.
Impact Isbel has notched consecutive multi-hit games after posting just two such efforts in his first 17 contests. The outfielder also showed off a little speed Thursday with his first stolen base of the year. The recent surge has him up to a .250/.261/.295 slash line with three RBI, six runs scored and a pair of doubles in 46 plate appearances. With Michael Taylor (illness) on the COVID-19 injured list, Isbel has a chance to fill a starting role in center field in the short term.
MAY 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Gets fourth consecutive start Isbel will start in right field and bat eighth in Wednesday's game against the White Sox.
Impact The 25-year-old will be making his fourth consecutive start Wednesday, and he looks like he could get the chance to play regularly against right-handed pitching in the wake of Salvador Perez (thumb) moving to the injured list. With Perez out of commission, MJ Melendez will take over as the Royals' primary catcher, thereby allowing Hunter Dozier to see more work as a designated hitter or first baseman while Isbel picks up starts in the outfield.
MAY 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
On bench versus righty Isbel is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Cardinals, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
Impact The lefty-hitting Isbel was on the bench in Monday's 1-0 loss to the Cardinals with southpaw Steven Matz on the hill for St. Louis, but the former's absence from the lineup Tuesday comes as a bigger surprise since the right-handed Dakota Hudson is starting for the opposition. Edward Olivares will pick up his fourth start in five games in right field and could be receiving a look in an everyday role at the position rather than as a short-side platoon player.
MAY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Takes seat against lefty Isbel is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Cardinals.
Impact With southpaw Steven Matz on the hill for St. Louis, the lefty-hitting Isbel will bow out of the starting nine. Edward Olivares will get the nod in right field, where the Royals could look to run a platoon featuring Isbel as the strong-side option after Whit Merrifield was moved back to the infield following Adalberto Mondesi's season-ending knee injury.
MAY 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Cole pitches Yankees to 8th straight win, 3-0 over Royals
Gerrit Cole pitched six shutout innings and the New York Yankees manufactured just enough runs to beat the Kansas City Royals 3-0 for their eighth straight winMAY 1, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Not starting Friday Isbel isn't in the lineup Friday against the Yankees.
Impact Isbel was called up by the Royals and went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a walk in the team's win over the White Sox. Edward Olivares will start in right field and bat eighth with left-hander Nestor Cortes starting for the Yankees. While the Royals haven't indicated that the two players will be in a platoon, it wouldn't be surprising to see most of Isbel's at-bats come against right-handed pitchers.
APRIL 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Hits two-run single in extra frame Isbel went 2-for-4 with a walk and two RBI during Thursday's 5-2 win over the White Sox.
Impact The rookie made an instant impact after being called up from Triple-A Omaha, helping to seal the win in extra innings. He rejoins the majors due in large part to Adalberto Mondesi's (knee) trip to the injured list, but he's displayed an explosive bat in the minors and could provide much-needed depth to an outfield dominated by right-handed hitters. Mondesi's injury appears to be a season-ender, so Isbel will probably remain on the roster and see time against opposing righties.
APRIL 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Royals take down White Sox 5-2 after 3-run 10th
Rookie Kyle Isbel hit a two-run single in Kansas City’s three-run 10th inning, and the Royals beat the Chicago White Sox 5-2APRIL 28, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Royals shortstop Adalberto Mondesi has torn knee ligament
Kansas City Royals shortstop Adalberto Mondesi’s season is in jeopardy after tests Thursday revealed a torn anterior cruciate ligament of his left kneeAPRIL 28, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Recalled by Kansas City Isbel was recalled by the Royals on Thursday, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
Impact Isbel began the season on the major-league roster but hasn't yet started any games for the Royals. During his brief stint at Triple-A Omaha, he hit .250 with a home run, two doubles, four runs and four RBI in five games. He's starting in right field Thursday and should see some playing time at the position while Adalberto Mondesi (knee) is on the injured list.
APRIL 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Twins avoid sweep as Ryan, bullpen shut down KC in 1-0 win
Joe Ryan pitched six innings of two-hit ball against Kansas City’s revamped lineup, Miguel Sano drove in the game’s only run and the Twins held on for a 1-0 victory to avoid a seri...APRIL 21, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sent down Thursday Isbel was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Thursday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Impact Although Isbel began the season on the major-league roster, he appeared in just two games and went 0-for-1 with a run. He should see more playing time in the minors and will be a candidate to rejoin the Royals if their outfielders deal with injuries at some point.
APRIL 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
MLB odds: Seiya Suzuki, Oneil Cruz and Bobby Witt Jr. lead ROY futures
MLB is back! With the first week of the season in the books, let's take a look at the ROY futures for both the NL and AL.APRIL 14, 2022
Wins roster spot Isbel secured a spot on the Royals' Opening Day roster, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Impact Both Isbel and Edward Olivares broke camp with the big club as reserve outfielders. Andrew Benintendi, Michael Taylor and Whit Merrifield compose the Kansas City outfield from left to right and should have a fair amount of security in those roles against both left- and right-handed pitching, so Isbel and Olivares could struggle to find consistent playing time. Isbel has two minor-league options remaining and will be a prime candidate for a demotion if the Royals need to bring in another player at a different position group at some point.
APRIL 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Royals exercise option to keep Matheny through 2023 season
The Kansas City Royals exercised their club option on Mike Matheny for the 2023 seasonMARCH 31, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kyle Isbel Is Staged to Have an Impactful 2022 Season The Kansas City Royals are seeing a wave of talent arrive at the major league level, and outfielder Kyle Isbel is one of those players set t...
MARCH 31, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
Homers Tuesday Isbel went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run in Tuesday's 11-4 win over the Mariners.
Impact Isbel got the start in center field Tuesday with Michael Taylor (hip) scratched from the lineup. The homer was Isbel's second in nine Cactus League games. He's gone 5-for-19 with four walks, seven RBI, five runs scored and a triple. When the Royals are at full health, there's no clear path for Isbel to receive regular at-bats, so he may have to settle for being a reserve outfielder to start the season if he breaks camp in the majors.
MARCH 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Ohtani strikes out 5 in spring mound debut for Angels
Two-way star Shohei Ohtani had a solid spring training debut on the mound, striking out five batters over 2 1/3 innings for the Los Angeles AngelsMARCH 21, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
No more 'roaming the valley' for Isbel and Co. with Royals camp open SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Kyle Isbel set his alarm for 6:40 a.m. Friday morning in anticipation of his arrival to the Royals complex in Surprise. T...
MARCH 11, 2022 • MLB.COM
Royals look to progress made by youngsters for optimism
The Kansas City Royals can look back upon their first full post-pandemic season in one of two very different waysOCTOBER 4, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sitting again Sunday Isbel is on the bench for Sunday's game against the Twins.
Impact Isbel sits for a fourth consecutive game, but there's been no indication of an injury or other issue. Unless he pinch hits Sunday, he'll finish the season hitting .274 with a home run and seven RBI in 73 at-bats. Whit Merrifield starts in right field while Hanser Alberto plays second base.
OCTOBER 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Riding pine Saturday Isbel isn't starting Saturday's game against the Twins.
Impact Isbel will be out of the lineup for a third consecutive game after he went 2-for-13 with a double, three runs, an RBI and a stolen base across his last five appearances. Hunter Dozier will start in right field while Cam Gallagher starts behind the plate.
OCTOBER 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
