MJ MELENDEZ NEWS

Plays hero off bench Melendez hit a three-run home run as a pinch hitter in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Tigers.

Impact Melendez erased a two-run deficit when he took Shelby Miller deep in the ninth inning, and Hunter Harvey was able to close out the win for the Royals. While this was a positive moment, Melendez has been on the bench to begin three of Kansas City's four games in August. He has five homers over his last 12 contests, accounting for half of his 10 hits over 43 at-bats in that span. The outfielder is up to 13 long balls, 34 RBI, 29 runs scored, 15 doubles, two triples and two stolen bases through 310 plate appearances. If Melendez continues to lose playing time, Dairon Blanco or Garrett Hampson are options to fill larger roles.

AUGUST 5 • ROTOWIRE

Out of lineup Sunday Melendez is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.

Impact Melendez will take a seat for the series finale since lefty Brant Hurter is scheduled to work as Detroit's primary pitcher. Dairon Blanco is starting in left field and batting ninth Sunday.

AUGUST 4 • ROTOWIRE

Absent from lineup Melendez is not in the lineup for Friday's game in Detroit.

Impact Melendez didn't start Thursday against a right-hander and will now begin Friday's contest on the bench as the Tigers send southpaw Tarik Skubal to the hill. Dairon Blanco will patrol left field.

AUGUST 2 • ROTOWIRE

Resting Thursday Melendez isn't in the Royals' lineup for Thursday's game versus Detroit.

Impact Melendez has gone 2-for-18 with two RBI in four games since returning from the injured list, and he'll get a chance to regroup Thursday while Garrett Hampson starts in left field.

AUGUST 1 • ROTOWIRE

Swats 12th homer Melendez went 2-for-5 with a solo home run in Monday's 8-5 win over the White Sox.

Impact This was Melendez's second game back from a minimum stay on the injured list due to an ankle sprain. The outfielder went 0-for-4 versus the Cubs on Sunday in his return. He's homered four times over his last eight games. Melendez is up to 12 homers, 30 RBI, 27 runs scored and two stolen bases while slashing .197/.259/.398 through 87 contests this year. While he's never been one to carry a high average, he could generate some fantasy value if he can continue to tap into his power.

JULY 30 • ROTOWIRE

Swats 12th homer Melendez went 2-for-5 with a solo home run in Monday's 8-5 win over the White Sox.

Impact This was Melendez's second game back from a minimum stay on the injured list due to an ankle sprain. The outfielder went 0-for-4 versus the Cubs on Sunday in his return. He's homered four times over his last eight games. Melendez is up to 12 homers, 30 RBI, 27 runs scored and two stolen bases while slashing .197/.259/.398 through 87 contests this year. While he's never been one to carry a high average, he could generate some fantasy value if he can continue to tap into his power.

JULY 30 • ROTOWIRE

Reinstated from IL The Royals reinstated Melendez (ankle) from the 10-day injured list Sunday.

Impact Melendez landed on the injured list July 16 after spraining his left ankle two days earlier against the Red Sox. He didn't need an extended stay on the IL, and he made three rehab outings with Double-A Northwest Arkansas, going 1-for-9 with one home run, two RBI and three runs scored. Prior to his injury, Melendez was slashing .303/.343/.667 with three home runs and five RBI over 34 plate appearances in July.

JULY 28 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared for rehab assignment Melendez (ankle) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Thursday.

Impact Melendez sprained his left ankle July 14 and was placed on the injured list over the All-Star break, but he's ready for game action a week and a half later. Given the brevity of his absence, Melendez may need just one rehab game before getting the green light to rejoin the Royals, perhaps as soon as this weekend's series versus the Cubs. Whenever he's activated, Melendez should settle back in as the Royals' primary left fielder against right-handed pitching.

JULY 25 • ROTOWIRE

Resumes on-field work Melendez (ankle) was spotted running on the field at Kauffman Stadium prior to Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.

Impact Ten days after spraining his left ankle before he landed on the injured list over the All-Star break, Melendez appears to be making great strides in his recovery. In addition to running the bases, Melendez has also been able to take swings in the batting cage and take part in defensive drills this week. The Royals are expected to re-evaluate Melendez on Thursday and determine whether he's fit to return from the IL during this weekend's three-game series with the Cubs, or if he'll first need to head out on a minor-league rehab assignment.

JULY 25 • ROTOWIRE

On 10-day IL Melendez (ankle) was placed on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to July 15.

Impact Melendez suffered a sprained left ankle during Sunday's game against the Red Sox and the injury will require an IL stint. The 25-year-old will miss the Royals' first six games coming out of the All-Star break and will become eligible to return July 26. While Melendez is sidelined, Dairon Blanco and Garrett Hampson should see action in left field.

JULY 16 • ROTOWIRE

Lifted with ankle sprain Melendez was removed in the top of the fourth inning of Sunday's game against the Red Sox due to a left ankle sprain.

Impact Melendez went hitless with an RBI in two at-bats on the afternoon and appeared to suffer the injury while he was running out a groundball. Though he reached base on a fielder's choice, Melendez was immediately lifted for a pinch runner. The severity of the ankle sprain isn't known, but Melendez could be sent in for an MRI over the All-Star break if the Royals fear that the injury is more than a minor concern.

JULY 14 • ROTOWIRE

Goes deep again Melendez went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Friday's 6-1 win over the Red Sox.

Impact Melendez has turned the corner a bit with three homers over his last four games. The slugger is up to 11 long balls this year, though he remains at a lackluster .196/.259/.392 slash line through 83 contests. Melendez has added 28 RBI, 26 runs scored, two stolen bases, 14 doubles and two triples. Despite his struggles at the plate, he's still the Royals' primary left fielder.

JULY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Reaches 10-homer mark Melendez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in an 8-5 win over the Cardinals in Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader.

Impact Melendez also went 1-for-4 with a double and one RBI in a 6-4 win in the matinee. The outfielder is off to a good start in July, going 7-for-24 (.292) over his first seven contests of the month. For the season, he's posted a .191/.255/.379 slash line with 10 homers, 27 RBI, 24 runs scored, 14 doubles, two triples and two stolen bases over 278 plate appearances. Melendez's struggles at the plate have cost him some playing time versus southpaws, but he's not strictly in a platoon role.

JULY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Lifts homer in win Melendez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 10-1 win over the Rockies.

Impact Melendez ended a 17-game homer drought with his seventh-inning blast Sunday. The outfielder hit .271 with five doubles but just one RBI during his power drought. Despite the recent improvements at the plate, Melendez is still slashing a poor .190/.256/.367 with nine homers, 25 RBI, 22 runs scored and two stolen bases over 80 contests this season.

JULY 8 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting against southpaw Melendez isn't in the Royals' lineup for Friday's game against the Rockies.

Impact The lefty-hitting Melendez will retreat to the dugout Friday as left-handed starter Kyle Freeland starts on the bump for Colorado. Dairon Blanco, Garrett Hampson and Hunter Renfroe will make up the Royals' outfield while Melendez rests.

JULY 5 • ROTOWIRE

Three hits in loss Melendez went 3-for-3 with a double in Tuesday's 5-1 loss to the Rays.

Impact Melendez accounted for half of the Royals' hits in the loss. This was his second multi-hit effort in the last three games, but he went just 3-for-19 over a seven-game stretch prior to his recent rebound. The outfielder continues to struggle overall with a .191/.258/.366 slash line, eight home runs, 24 RBI, 21 runs scored and two stolen bases through 256 plate appearances in a strong-side platoon role.

JULY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Patience pays off: 12-pitch AB ends with Melendez's 1st grand slam LOS ANGELES -- With the bases loaded and two outs against one of baseball’s nastiest relievers, MJ Melendez fought off pitch after pitch … a...

JUNE 16 • MLB.COM

Sitting against righty amid slump Melendez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Yankees.

Impact The Royals have already scaled back the lefty-hitting Melendez's playing time against southpaws, but he'll take a seat against right-hander Cody Poteet on Wednesday, opening up a start in left field for Garrett Hampson. Since producing a season-high three hits May 10 against the Angels, Melendez has gone 7-for-75 (.093 average) over the past month of action.

JUNE 12 • ROTOWIRE

Lifts homer in loss Melendez went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Thursday's 7-6 loss to the Twins.

Impact Melendez's fourth-inning blast gave the Royals a 4-0 lead before things turned south for them in the middle innings. May has been a rough month for Melendez, who has gone 12-for-69 (.174) with six extra-base hits over 23 contests in the month. His previous homer was April 19, and he now has five long balls on the year to go with 13 RBI, 14 runs scored, two stolen bases and a poor .176/.238/.346 slash line through 50 games. Melendez is in a strong-side platoon role, though Garrett Hampson has started to get more looks versus righties amid Melendez's lengthy slump.

MAY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting against southpaw Melendez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers.

Impact The lefty-hitting Melendez will head to the bench for the series finale while the Tigers bring ace southpaw Tarik Skubal to the bump. Nelson Velazquez will spell Melendez in left field.

MAY 22 • ROTOWIRE

José Berríos strikes out MJ Melendez | 04/30/2024 José Berríos strikes out MJ Melendez swinging to end the Royals' scoring chance in the top of the 7th inning

MAY 1 • MLB.COM

MJ Melendez, Royals vie to stay hot in opener vs. Astros The Kansas City Royals are riding high as they head into Tuesday night’s opener of a three-game series against the visiting Houston Astros.T...

APRIL 9 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Homers again Sunday Melendez went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 5-3 win over the White Sox.

Impact Melendez got the start at designated hitter with Nelson Velazquez in left field against White Sox southpaw Garrett Crochet. Melendez didn't find any success against Crochet, but he was able to take righty reliever Deivi Garcia deep for a go-ahead homer in the seventh inning. With three homers over his last four games, Melendez is off to a great start this season. He's added eight RBI, five runs scored and four doubles over 34 plate appearances, and his presence in the lineup against a southpaw suggests he has at least a path to more than a strong-side platoon role.

APRIL 8 • ROTOWIRE

Sweep! Melendez goes yard AGAIN to cap hot series KANSAS CITY -- With the way MJ Melendez has been hitting, a big moment almost felt inevitable Sunday afternoon. Turns out, it was. Down one...

APRIL 7 • MLB.COM