RYAN O'HEARN NEWS

Hernandez, Merrifield lead Royals to 3-1 win over Tigers

Carlos Hernandez pitched five shutout innings and Whit Merrifield drove in a pair of runs as the Kansas City Royals beat the Detroit Tigers 3-1

SEPTEMBER 25, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Playing time continues to slip O'Hearn remains on the bench Tuesday against Cleveland.

Impact O'Hearn has filled a regular role at times this season, but he doesn't appear to have one now, as he's started just one of the team's last six games. The Royals appear to be going with eight everyday starters while rotating players through their ninth lineup spot, with O'Hearn seemingly slipping behind Kyle Isbel and Hanser Alberto for that role. O'Hearn owns a .624 OPS on the season, the third straight season he's been at or below .650 in that category, so he's not making a strong case for everyday at-bats.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

On bench Game 2 O'Hearn is out of the lineup for Game 2 of Monday's doubleheader against Cleveland, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.

Impact O'Hearn went 0-for-3 with a strikeout during Game 1 and will return to the bench for the nightcap. It's the fourth time in the past five games the 28-year-old finds himself on the bench, which is likely in part due to the fact he's 3-for-23 through 12 games in September.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Still sitting Sunday O'Hearn is out of the lineup Sunday against the Mariners, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.

Impact O'Hearn is on the bench for the third consecutive game as Salvador Perez receives a day off from behind the plate to serve as the designated hitter. O'Hearn is 3-for-23 through 12 games in September and may receive inconsistent opportunities down the stretch.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Remains on bench O'Hearn is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against Seattle.

Impact O'Hearn finds himself on the bench for the third time in four games. He's only started four games all season against lefties, so it's unsurprising to see him on the bench here against Yusei Kikuchi. Hunter Dozier will be the right fielder Saturday, while Hanser Alberto fills the designated hitter spot.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting Friday O'Hearn will sit Friday against Seattle.

Impact O'Hearn finds himself on the bench for the second time in three games, with this off day coming against righty Chris Flexen. Kyle Isbel starts in right field.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

A's hold off Royals 12-10 to keep pace in AL wild-card race

Matt Olson hit a two-run homer, Josh Harrison drove in three runs and Elvis Andrus had four hits as the Oakland Athletics beat the Kansas City Royals 12-10

SEPTEMBER 16, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Out against lefty O'Hearn is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Athletics.

Impact The lefty-hitting O'Hearn will unsurprisingly take a seat with southpaw Sean Manaea on the hill for Oakland, but the former may have reclaimed a spot in Kansas City's regular lineup versus right-handed pitching. O'Hearn went 1-for-6 with a pair of walks while starting both of the Royals' past two games versus righties, while Edward Olivares was relegated to a bench role.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

On bench again O'Hearn is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Orioles.

Impact The lefty-hitting O'Hearn will unsurprisingly remain on the bench with the Royals facing a southpaw (Zac Lowther) for the series opener in Baltimore. O'Hearn has been hurt by Kansas City facing a slew of lefties lately, but Adalberto Mondesi's recent return from the injured list looks like it will cost O'Hearn some opportunities versus right-handed pitching, too. O'Hearn has picked up only one start in the Royals' last seven games.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Sits versus lefty O'Hearn is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against Cleveland.

Impact The lefty-hitting O'Hearn will remain on the bench for the second straight game with Kansas City facing a southpaw (Logan Allen) on Wednesday. O'Hearn's opportunities against right-handed pitching could soon take a hit, as Kansas City welcomes back Adalberto Mondesi (oblique) from the injured list Wednesday. Mondesi is expected to see most of his initial starts at designated hitter while he returns from an extended absence, leaving O'Hearn, Hunter Dozier and Edward Olivares to compete for reps in right field.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Takes seat Tuesday O'Hearn is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against Cleveland.

Impact An 0-for-4 effort Monday lowered O'Hearn's average to .167 with two doubles and three runs in his last 10 games. Hunter Dozier is the designated hitter Tuesday, with Edward Olivares getting a start in right field.

AUGUST 31, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

On bench Saturday O'Hearn is not starting Saturday's game against the Mariners, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Impact Even after a three-hit night Friday, O'Hearn is still hitting just .207 with a pair of doubles and no RBI in his last 10 games. Salvador Perez is DH'ing and batting third Saturday.

AUGUST 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Three hits in win O'Hearn went 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Friday's 8-7 extra-innings win over Seattle.

Impact While O'Hearn was solid throughout the first seven innings, the newly recalled Edward Olivares replaced him in right field. It was Olivares who delivered a sacrifice fly in the 10th inning and a two-run home run in the 12th that ultimately propelled Kansas City to the win. O'Hearn has posted an unremarkable .235/.268/.405 slash line with nine home runs, 28 RBI and 21 runs scored across 213 plate appearances this year. It appears he will compete with Olivares, Hunter Dozier and Carlos Santana for playing time at first base, right field and designated hitter.

AUGUST 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Takes seat Sunday O'Hearn is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs.

Impact The lefty-hitting O'Hearn will be squeezed out of the lineup against a right-hander (Alec Mills), mostly as a result of no designated hitter being available in Chicago. Hunter Dozier will pick up a start in right field, the position O'Hearn manned in the first two games of the series.

AUGUST 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting Tuesday O'Hearn is not starting Tuesday against the Astros, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Impact O'Hearn went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI in Monday's win, but he will now sit for the third time in four games against left-hander Framber Valdez. Hanser Alberto will handle the DH duties and bat seventh.

AUGUST 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting again Sunday O'Hearn is not in the lineup Sunday against the Cardinals.

Impact O'Hearn is 6-for-21 with a homer, a triple, seven RBI and two runs through nine games in August, and he'll sit for the second straight contest Sunday. Salvador Perez will serve as the designated hitter while Cam Gallagher starts behind the plate.

AUGUST 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Not starting Saturday O'Hearn will not be in the lineup for Saturday's game against St. Louis.

Impact O'Hearn hasn't done much to justify regular at-bats this season, hitting a modest .235/.266/.422. Hunter Dozier will be the designated hitter Saturday, with Whit Merrifield starting in right field.

AUGUST 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

On bench Tuesday O'Hearn is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Yankees.

Impact O'Hearn sat twice over the weekend with the Royals playing in a National League park without a designated hitter, and he's out of the lineup again Tuesday. Whit Merrifield will serve as the designated hitter while Hanser Alberto starts at second base.

AUGUST 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Not starting Sunday O'Hearn is out of the lineup Sunday at St. Louis, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.

Impact O'Hearn will sit for the second straight contest while the Royals are without the services of a designated hitter in a National League park. Hunter Dozier will start in right field Sunday while Hanser Alberto works at third base.

AUGUST 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

On bench Saturday O'Hearn will sit Saturday against the Cardinals.

Impact The Royals' regular starting nine will be a man short due to the lack of the designated hitter in the National League park. O'Hearn served as the right fielder Friday, but that spot will be occupied by Hunter Dozier in the second game of the series.

AUGUST 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting against lefty O'Hearn is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the White Sox.

Impact As per usual, the lefty-hitting O'Hearn will retreat to the bench with a southpaw (Dallas Keuchel) on the mound for the opposition. Emmanuel Rivera will pick up a spot start in O'Hearn's stead, occupying third base while Hunter Dozier moves to right field.

AUGUST 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Belts homer, drives in three O'Hearn went 1-for-2 with a home run, a walk and three RBI in a victory over the White Sox on Wednesday.

Impact Serving as the Royals' designated hitter, O'Hearn drove in the first run of the game with a sac fly in the first inning. He then went deep to center field in the seventh to extend the team's lead to 8-1. The three RBI tied a season high for the 28-year-old. He is hitting .226 on the season while carrying a problematic 32.9 percent strikeout rate over 155 at-bats.

AUGUST 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Keuchel expected to start as Chicago hosts Kansas City

The White Sox will roll out Dallas Keuchel to the mound Thursday and the Royals plan to give Daniel Lynch the start

AUGUST 5, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cease blanks Royals for 6 innings, White Sox win 7-1

Dylan Cease allowed one hit in six scoreless innings, matching a season high with 11 strikeouts, and the Chicago White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 7-1 on Tuesday night

AUGUST 4, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

On bench against lefty O'Hearn isn't in the lineup Thursday against the White Sox.

Impact O'Hearn started the last two games and went 2-for-5 with an RBI and two strikeouts, but he'll head back to the bench with left-hander Carlos Rodon starting Thursday. Jorge Soler will shift to right field while Salvador Perez serves as the designated hitter.

JULY 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE