Nelson Velázquez - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

In mix for reps in left field Velazquez is among the competitors for playing time in left field for the Cardinals while Lars Nootbaar (heels) is sidelined, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Impact Nootbaar is expected to get a late start to the season as he continues his recovery from surgery on both heels. In camp as a non-roster invitee, Velazquez entered play Sunday having gone 5-for-17 with one home run, one double and a 2:1 BB:K over his first six Grapefruit League contests. The Cardinals' lineup leans lefty-heavy, which helps the right-handed-hitting Velazquez's case, but working against him is that he's the only one in the mix that's not already on the 40-man roster. Nathan Church, Jose Fermin and Thomas Saggese are also competing for reps in left field.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Gets NRI from St. Louis The Cardinals signed Velazquez to a minor-league contract Monday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Impact Velazquez split the 2025 season between the Triple-A level in the Royals and Pirates organizations and also spent time in the Mexican League. The 27-year-old has cranked 31 home runs in 615 plate appearances at the major-league level, but that's come with just a .212/.286/.433 career batting line and 28.8 percent strikeout rate. The Cardinals have been looking for a right-handed-hitting reserve outfielder, which gives Velazquez a chance to make the team even if the odds aren't high.

JANUARY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Pirates farm report for Sept. 21, 2025: Nelson Velázquez's homer seals season finale win for Indy INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 87-62) topped Gwinnett (Braves), 6-4, in the season finale. RF Nelson Velazquez (.234) was 3 for 5 with a two-run ho...

SEPTEMBER 21, 2025 • TRIBLIVE.COM

Cut by Royals The Royals released Velazquez on Wednesday.

Impact Velazquez has been in the minors all season but will now enter the open market after slashing .202/.298/.377 across 131 plate appearances at Triple-A Omaha. The 26-year-old owns a career .719 OPS in the majors and should still be able to latch on with another club on a minor-league deal.

MAY 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Kansas City Royals release right-hander Ross Stripling and catcher Luke Maile

The Kansas City Royals have released right-hander Ross Stripling and catcher Luke Maile after they opted out of their contracts

MARCH 23, 2025 • Associated Press

Outrighted to Triple-A Velazquez cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Omaha on Sunday.

Impact Velazquez posted a .595 OPS over 29 plate appearances during spring training, so Kansas City won't keep him on the 40-man roster. The 26-year-old clubbed 14 homers in just 40 games for the Royals in 2023 but delivered a .200/.274/.366 slash line in 64 regular-season contests last year.

MARCH 23, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Back in action Friday Velazquez (calf) is starting in right field and batting cleanup in Friday's spring game against the Angels.

Impact Velazquez departed Wednesday's contest due to calf cramps but is ready to rejoin the lineup after a day off. The 26-year-old hasn't put himself in a strong position to earn a place on the Opening Day roster, as he's gone 2-for-16 through eight spring games.

MARCH 14, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with calf cramps Velazquez exited Wednesday's Cactus League game versus the Mariners due to a calf cramp, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Impact Manager Matt Quatraro didn't seem too concerned with Velazquez's injury while relaying his diagnosis after the game, so the 26-year-old outfielder isn't likely to miss much time. He's had a tough time at the plate this spring, going 2-for-16 with two runs scored over eight games.

MARCH 12, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Makes early exit Wednesday Velazquez was removed from Wednesday's Cactus League game against Seattle due to an apparent injury, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Impact Velazquez suffered the injury while fielding a ball near the outfield wall, though it's not immediately apparent what he's dealing with. Kansas City will take a closer look at him and should provide some clarity on his status soon.

MARCH 12, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Back in lineup Sunday Velazquez will serve as the designated hitter and bat seventh in Sunday's series finale against the Rangers.

Impact Velazquez was originally slated to sit for the fourth consecutive game Sunday, but he was inserted into the lineup after Adam Frazier was scratched due to a right thumb sprain he sustained in Saturday's 6-0 loss. Velazquez will look to take advantage of the opportunity as he faces off against the returning Max Scherzer on Sunday.

JUNE 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting again Saturday Velazquez is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against Texas.

Impact Velazquez will be out of the lineup Saturday for the third straight game. The lefty-hitting Vinnie Pasquantino will serve as the designated hitter and bat third against Rangers right-hander Jon Gray.

JUNE 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Nelson Velazquez, Royals bid to avert sweep vs. Padres Nelson Velazquez is rediscovering his power stroke.As the Kansas City Royals bid to salvage the finale of their three-game series against th...

JUNE 2, 2024 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Nelson Velazquez (2 HRs), Royals overpower Twins Nelson Velazquez went 2-for-4 with two home runs and three RBIs and the Kansas City Royals pulled away for a 6-1 win over the Minnesota Twin...

MAY 30, 2024 • THESTATE.COM

Clubs pair of homers Velazquez went 2-for-4 with two home runs and three RBI in Wednesday's 6-1 win over the Twins.

Impact Velazquez looks to be regaining his power swing with four homers over his last seven contests. He's still lacking in overall consistency at the plate -- he was hitless in his previous three games before his strong effort Wednesday. The 25-year-old is up to seven long balls on the year while adding 19 RBI, 24 runs scored, one stolen base and a .224/.292/.410 slash line over 47 contests. Velazquez is seeing steady playing time between the corner outfield spots and designated hitter.

MAY 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Knocks homer Velazquez went 1-for-2 with a solo home run, two walks and two total runs scored in Wednesday's 8-3 win over the Tigers.

Impact Velazquez had sat out the previous two games, suggesting he could be losing some playing time versus right-handed pitchers. He looked solid against Tigers lefty ace Tarik Skubal, taking him deep in the fourth inning. Velazquez is barring a meager .224 (11-for-49) in May, but he's hit two homers and driven in five runs over his last five games. The outfielder is slashing .226/.295/.368 with four homers, 13 RBI, 20 runs scored, one stolen base and seven doubles over 146 plate appearances this season. He's struggled to consistently tap into power as he did with 17 homers over 53 games a year ago, so it's possible Velazquez could continue to lose playing time to Adam Frazier or Freddy Fermin if he can't turn things around.

MAY 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Retreats to bench Wednesday Velazquez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mariners.

Impact Velazquez hasn't fully regained an everyday role yet, but he started each of the last four games (two against right-handers, two against left-handers) and is in the midst of a five-game hitting streak in which he's slashed .375/.412/.625. Even so, Velazquez will find himself as the odd man out of the lineup Wednesday while the Royals give Salvador Perez a day off behind the plate while keeping his bat in the starting nine at DH.

MAY 15, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Royals' Nelson Velazquez looks to continue hot streak vs. Mariners Judging by what they saw after acquiring Nelson Velazquez at the trade deadline last year, the Kansas City Royals expected big things from t...

MAY 15, 2024 • THESTATE.COM

Sitting for Game 2 Velazquez is out of the lineup for Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader against the White Sox.

Impact Velazquez went 1-for-4 with a double and a run in Game 1, but he'll take a seat in the nightcap after making 12 straight starts. Salvador Perez will serve as the designated hitter while Freddy Fermin starts behind the plate.

APRIL 17, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Records steal Saturday Velazquez went 2-for-5 with one RBI, a stolen base and one run scored in Saturday's 11-7 win over the Mets.

Impact Velazquez was one of six Royals to log multiple hits Saturday. He's known for his power more than his speed -- this was his first steal and attempt since 2022. He's earned a significant role early in 2024, slashing .333/.385/.521 with two home runs, seven RBI, eight runs scored and three doubles over 13 contests as the Royals' primary designated hitter.

APRIL 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Launches homer in win Velazquez went 2-for-3 with a solo homer, a walk and two runs scored in Sunday's 11-0 win over the Twins.

Impact Velazquez singled in the first inning and walked and scored in the second frame before launching a solo homer off of reliever Cole Sands in the bottom of the sixth. The outfielder was making only his second start of the season, but if he can keep producing like he did Sunday, he'll see an uptick in playing time as the season goes on.

MARCH 31, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Not in Sunday's lineup Velazquez is not in Sunday's lineup against the Yankees.

Impact Velazquez hit .244 with nine home runs, 17 runs and 20 RBI over 23 games in a huge month of September. It would seem that he played well enough down the stretch to enter 2024 as a regular in the middle of the Royals' lineup.

OCTOBER 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Absent from lineup Velazquez is out of the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Tigers.

Impact It's a routine day off for Velazquez, who had started each of the previous 11 contests for the Royals. Drew Waters will occupy right field Thursday while Edward Olivares serves as the designated hitter.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Goes deep twice Velazquez went 2-for-3 with two solo homers in Sunday's 6-5 win over the Astros.

Impact Velazquez tallied the first Royals run of the game with his 380-foot homer off Hunter Brown in the second inning. He wasn't done for the day, as he returned and cranked a 396-foot solo shot the next inning, again off Brown. Velazquez has been on a torrid power tear lately, hitting five home runs over the past nine games. The former Cub is slashing .239/.313/.632 with 14 homers, 25 runs and 27 RBI over 36 games since joining the Royals.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Reaches 15-homer mark Velazquez went 1-for-5 with a three-run home run in Wednesday's 6-2 win over the Guardians.

Impact Velazquez's first-inning blast was all the Royals needed to earn the win. The outfielder has gone a modest 15-for-55 (.273) in September, but seven of his hits have left the yard. He's up to 15 homers, 31 RBI, 30 runs scored, six doubles and no stolen bases while slashing .244/.313/.622 over 46 contests between the Royals and the Cubs this season. The 24-year-old outfielder's power has helped him early fairly steady playing time over the last month.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Smacks 14th homer Velazquez went 1-for-3 with a home run, one RBI and two runs scored in Monday's 6-4 win over Cleveland.

Impact Velazquez launched a 425-foot solo home run off Cal Quantrill in the sixth inning to chase the Guardians' starter from the game. The 24-year-old has been a steady source of power since arriving from the Cubs at the trade deadline. Velazquez has hit .235/.303/.602 with 11 homers, 21 RBI and 20 runs in 31 games with the Royals.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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Kansas City Royals release right-hander Ross Stripling and catcher Luke Maile