Kansas City Royals

Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez suffered a quad contusion on May 28 after colliding with third baseman Cheslor Cuthbert while trying to field a foul pop-up. However, he's ready to return.

Continue for updates.

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Perez Active vs. Indians

Saturday, June 4

Mike Swanson, Royals vice president of communications and broadcasting, announced Perez will bat fifth and play catcher Saturday against Cleveland.

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Perez Injury Bright Spot in Injury-Riddled Royals Season

Third baseman Mike Moustakas and left fielder Alex Gordon collided in a game against the Chicago White Sox last Sunday, and both players received bad news. 

Moustakas is on the shelf indefinitely with an ACL tear in his right knee, while Gordon hit the disabled list with a broken bone in his right wrist. 

Perez managing to avoid serious injury is important for the Royals as they look to maintain their slight lead in the AL Central.

Chances are the Kansas City Royals weren't going to repeat as MLB champions no matter what.

Don't get mad, Royals fans. That's just clear-eyed history.

Since 1979, baseball has seen two teams win more than one World Series in a row. The Toronto Blue Jays did it in 1992 and 1993, and the New York Yankees won a trio of titles in 1998, 1999 and 2000.

Other than that, for the past 37 years, it's been nothing but one-and-done. So the odds were stacked against Kansas City from the start.

Now, however, with third baseman and key offensive cog Mike Moustakas lost for the season with a knee injury, the task becomes even more herculean.

Moustakas was hurt on May 22 when he collided with Royals left fielder Alex Gordon while attempting to catch a foul pop-up. Here's the play in question, in case you missed it:

Gordon, a three-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner, suffered a fractured wrist and could miss three to four weeks, per MLB.com's Jeffrey Flanagan. That's a significant blow, but not necessarily a debilitating one.

The news on Moustakas, meanwhile, is far bleaker. 

His torn ACL will likely require surgery and figures to cost him the rest of the 2016 campaign, per Flanagan. 

Moustakas, or "Moose," as the fans at Kauffman Stadium affectionately chant, was hitting .240 with seven home runs and 13 RBI in 27 games and had already missed time with a thumb injury.

He was an integral part of Kansas City's 2015 run, clubbing 22 homers while playing strong defense at the hot corner.

In the intangibles department, the 27-year-old 2007 first-round pick filled a vital leadership role.

"It's going to be challenging to replace not only the production of Alex Gordon and Mike Moustakas but also their presence in the lineup and in the clubhouse," general manager Dayton Moore said, per Flanagan. "They are a crucial part of this team."

Kansas City can lean on the remainder of its offensive core, including center fielder Lorenzo Cain, first baseman Eric Hosmer and catcher Salvador Perez.

With Gordon due back at some point this summer, the team will retain much of the backbone that led to an AL pennant in 2014 and a confetti-strewn parade in 2015.

Cheslor Cuthbert—Kansas City's No. 12-ranked prospect, according to MLB.com—will get a look along with utility man Whit Merrifield, but it's possible bordering on probable that the Royals will go shopping at the trade deadline.

No matter what, they just lost a portion of their championship identity.

Entering play on Friday, the Royals sit at 24-22, just two games out in the wide-open American League Central but far from a juggernaut.

More troublingly, they rank in the bottom third in runs scored and OPS, and their starting pitching sports an unsightly 4.66 ERA.

Suddenly, the 77-85 record that FanGraphs projected for K.C. before the start of the season—and that yours truly dismissed as a pessimistic head-scratcher—is looking reasonable.

The loss of Moustakas doesn't seal a losing season for Kansas City. Every defending champion has to overcome obstacles. Just ask the Golden State Warriors.

But for a club that was already wobbling, this is a bad omen—and a tough pill to swallow.

Rustin Dodd of the Kansas City Star summed up the prevailing mood after news of Moustakas and Gordon's injury status broke:

The reality cut deep into a close-knit room. In March, the Royals spoke confidently about their motivations this season: Another American League pennant, another championship, an improbable mini-dynasty in one of baseball’s smallest markets.

Seven weeks into the franchise’s first World Series championship defense in three decades, the Royals must trudge on with the left side of the diamond gutted by injuries.

Again, nothing is decided. The Central is stuffed with flawed hopefuls, including the division-leading Chicago White Sox, a team few expected to contend.

The Royals have sprinkled their mojo—fueled by speed, defense and a shutdown bullpen—all over the playoffs before. It could still happen again.

Chances are they weren't going to repeat as champs. Those chances have inched down with Moustakas on the shelf.

Then again, in the immortal words of Han Solo, "Never tell me the odds."

All statistics current as of May 26 and courtesy of MLB.com unless otherwise noted.

Kansas City Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas has been diagnosed with a torn ACL, which he suffered May 22. He underwent surgery and will miss the rest of the 2016 season. 

Continue for updates.

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Moustakas Undergoes Surgery

Thursday, June 2

Dr. James Andrews performed surgery on Moustakas' left ACL, and the third baseman is expected to be ready to play next season, per Joel Goldberg of FSKC.

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Yost Confirms Moustakas Is Out for the Year

Thursday, May 26

Royals manager Ned Yost confirmed Moustakas won't be available until next year for spring training, per Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com. 

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Moustakas Gave Royals Key Power Bat

Moustakas had been among the Royals' key hitters this season when healthy with seven home runs following what was a breakout campaign in 2015.

After failing to deliver on his considerable promise in the first four years of his career, Moose was named to the All-Star team for the first time last season, hitting .284 with 22 home runs and 82 RBI for the eventual World Series champions.

Moustakas entered 2016 as an offensive centerpiece for KC, but staying off the injured list has proved to be a challenge.

The 27-year-old veteran landed on the disabled list in May with a fractured left thumb, and while he was able to return to the lineup, the ailments have continued to mount.

Moose has largely been a durable player throughout his career, as he entered 2016 having appeared in 136 or more games for four straight seasons. He played in 147 last year and tied his career high with 614 plate appearances in the process.

Pitching has arguably been the biggest key to the Royals' success in recent years, but their timely hitting had much to do with their World Series triumph in 2015.

The hitting has been far less consistent this season, and with Moustakas potentially set to miss even more time, it is difficult to envision Kansas City improving much in that regard moving forward.

Moustakas is arguably the Royals' primary source of power, and assuming Whit Merrifield steps in to replace him, Yost will be missing an important dimension from his lineup.

Kansas City is strong enough from a pitching and defense perspective to win games without Moustakas, but his bat has been a big part of the timely hitting that lifted the Royals to a championship.

Provided other big-name hitters such as Lorenzo Cain, Eric Hosmer and Salvador Perez manage to step up, however, KC may have enough offense to get by.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter.

The Kansas City Royals placed left fielder Alex Gordon on the disabled list May 23 with a sprained wrist, but he has rejoined the team.

Continue for updates.

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Gordon Returns to Royals

Saturday, June 25

FSKC's Joel Goldberg revealed the Royals reinstated Gordon from the disabled list and optioned outfielder Brett Eibner to Triple-A Omaha.

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Gordon Resumes Baseball Activities

Monday, June 13

Gordon hit off a tee Monday, according to Rustin Dodd of the Kansas City Star, who added there's no timetable for his return.

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Gordon a Key Piece to World Champs

Gordon suffered his injury when he collided with teammate Mike Moustakas while attempting to catch a foul ball off the bat of Melky Cabrera:

He struggled to start the season, much like the rest of his team. He was batting well under .250 as his Royals struggled to play .500 ball.

What's more frustrating is that the trend of injuries continues for Gordon, who missed over 50 games after straining his groin during the 2015 season while tracking a fly ball in left field.

He was able to come back and finish the regular season batting .271 with 13 home runs and 48 RBI, but it was his postseason contributions that made him so invaluable, as the Royals won their first World Series in 30 years.

Gordon has been an All-Star in each of the past three years and has led the team in on-base percentage in the last two. His ability to get on base fit so well in a Royals lineup that didn't necessarily boast a ton of superstar talent or power.

Instead, it was a perfectly balanced group of players who found ways to win games.

And according to manager Ned Yost, who spoke with Tyler Kepner of the New York Times, Gordon is just as valuable to the team off the field.

"Everybody in that locker room looks up to him," Yost said. "Everything he does is to be ready to play a baseball game, from the food he eats to the exercises that he does early in the weight room to the preparation before the game. His routine is impeccable, and guys see this."

Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.

The Kansas City Royals' struggling rotation has been hit with a new problem, as right-hander Kris Medlen has been placed on the disabled list with a shoulder problem.

Continue for updates. 

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Medlen to 15-Day DL

Thursday, May 12

Per Jon Morosi of Fox Sports, Medlen's official diagnosis is rotator cuff inflammation in his right shoulder. 

Medlen told reporters he'll undergo an MRI on Friday and said the soreness surfaced near the end of his start on May 10. 

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Injury-Plagued Medlen Struggling to Find Rhythm for Royals 

Medlen has been struggling his way through six starts so far in 2016. The 30-year-old has a 7.77 ERA with 30 hits allowed, 20 walks and 18 strikeouts in 24.1 innings. Kansas City starters enter play Thursday with the eighth-worst ERA in Major League Baseball at 4.73, per ESPN.com. 

Injuries have plagued Medlen throughout his career. He has had Tommy John surgery twice (2010, 2014) and has only made 30 starts in a season once in his career. 

Given Medlen's struggles so far in 2016, his time in the rotation seemed limited. The Royals have struggled to a 16-17 start after last year's World Series win. Dillon Gee can slide into the rotation after pitching seven games in relief. 

There is plenty of time left in the season for the Royals to turn things around, but there is only so far a team can go with a rotation that cannot hand those dominant relievers a lead. Medlen's poor performance and propensity to get hurt could force Yost to put him in the bullpen whenever he returns. 

The Kansas City Royals placed starting pitcher Chris Young on the 15-day disabled list Thursday with a right forearm injury.

Continue for updates.

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Young Placed on 15-Day DL

Young, 36, lasted only 2.2 innings in his May 9 start against the New York Yankees. He admitted Tuesday that the injury had been bothering him for some time.

"I've had to change the way I take off my shoes, the way I brush my teeth, the way I take off my shirt," Young said, per The Associated Press (via ESPN.com). "But throwing does not bother it, which is I think why it's been a little bit hard to address."

An integral part of the Royals staff last season, Young has been among the worst MLB starters in 2016. He's 1-5 with a 6.68 ERA and 1.52 WHIP, giving up a major league-high 13 home runs in 32.1 innings. The Yankees lit him up for five homers before he was pulled Monday.

Dillon Gee is scheduled to take his spot in the rotation Saturday. Gee, 30, spent the last six seasons with the New York Mets and was in his first year as a full-time reliever. He's posted a 2.61 ERA and 1.26 WHIP across 20.2 innings.

The Royals will also have to replace Kris Medlen, who was also placed on the DL on Thursday. Medlen has been even worse than Young, giving up 25 runs (21 earned) in his 24.1 innings this season.

After a storybook trip to World Series glory last season, it appears that anything that can go wrong will for the Royals in 2016.

Kansas City Royals prospect Raul Mondesi has been suspended 50 games for violating the joint drug agreement. 

Major League Baseball confirmed Mondesi's 50-game suspension Tuesday on Twitter. Joel Sherman of the New York Post added that MLB and the MLB Players Association agreed to decrease his punishment from 80 games "after he showed substance in cold medicine."

Sherman noted that Mondesi's argument in his favor to get the suspension reduced came under the "No Significant Fault or Negligence" provision that was resolved before an appeal to the positive test was filed.

ESPN's T.J. Quinn wrote that Mondesi is the first player to successfully receive a reduced suspension "under the unintentional ingestion provision" that was added to the previous joint drug agreement.

Royals general manager Dayton Moore issued a statement after Mondesi's suspension was announced, via Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports:

Here is Royals GM Dayton Moore on the 50-game PED suspension of Raul Mondesi Jr., the organization's best prospect. pic.twitter.com/LnvFV4xubt

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) May 10, 2016

Mondesi also released a statement through the MLB Players Association, via MLB.com's Cash Kruth:

Today, I agreed to accept a 50-game suspension from Major League Baseball. It is by far one of the hardest moments I have had to face in my life, but it is a decision that I accept and one that I take full responsibility for as a professional.

I took an over-the-counter medication [Subrox-C], which I bought in the Dominican Republic to treat cold and flu symptoms. I failed to read the labeling on the medication or consult with my trainer or team about taking it and did not know it contained a banned substance. I tested positive for that banned substance, with a minuscule amount of Clenbuterol in my system, which could not have possibly enhanced my performance on the field, and now must face the consequences of that mistake.

I apologize to my organization, my teammates, the fans and everyone who has supported me in my career. Never did I intend to take a substance that would give me an unfair advantage on the field. It is solely my mistake and there are no excuses for my carelessness in not being fully informed of what I put in my body. My goal is to work through this setback and make it back in time to help my organization compete for another World Series title.

MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez reported that Mondesi will be eligible for this year's playoffs and any potential tiebreaker games the Royals might play. 

Baseball America's J.J. Cooper noted that Mondesi's suspension is coming at a bad time for him based on his current performance at Double-A:

At the time of his suspension, Mondesi was putting together the best stretch he's had in several years. .250/.304/.462. 5 HR. 11-for-12 SB.

— JJ Cooper (@jjcoop36) May 10, 2016

The 20-year-old made history last October when he became the first player in history to make his MLB debut in the World Series, striking out against New York Mets right-hander Noah Syndergaard in Game 3. 

MLB.com ranked Mondesi as the Royals' No. 1 prospect coming into 2016. Kansas City has aggressively pushed him through the minors, as this is his second full season in Double-A. The team signed him as a non-drafted free agent when he was 16 years old in July 2011. 

Kansas City Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas was placed on the disabled list May 7 with a thumb injury after originally trying to play through the ailment. However, he is expected to return soon after being activated.

Continue for updates.

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Moustakas Removed from DL

Saturday, May 21

FSKC's Joel Goldberg reported the "Royals [activated Moustakas], [optioned] Cheslor Cuthbert to [Triple-A] Omaha."

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Moustakas Begins Rehab Assignment

Wednesday, May 18

Blair Kerkhoff of the Kansas City Star reported Moustakas has reported to Double-A Northwest Arkansas to begin his recovery.

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Moustakas Injury Took Potent Bat Out of Royals Lineup

Moustakas originally missed some time in early May while battling problems with his thumb. He returned to the starting lineup on May 4 but was held out again on May 6 after an off day. That signaled there was probably a bigger issue at hand.

The 27-year-old slugger has tallied seven home runs through 25 games so far this season.

He's coming off a career year in 2015. He recorded career highs with a .284 batting average and 22 home runs along with 82 RBI as he helped lead the Royals to their first World Series title in 30 years.

He proved that he can be a legitimate middle-of-the-order batter and could carry the offense as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZYXc4NSXHY

However, he said there was more work to be done heading into the 2016 season, per Kerkhoff: "I'm going to keep trying to do what I did last year. And get better at it. I'm not going to try and change anything, I just want to continue improving on hitting the ball the other way. That's where I had most of my success last year."

Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.

Here's a weird story from Kansas City, Missouri. On Wednesday night, a huge statue of a Kansas City Royals player was stolen from a billboard for supermarket chain Hy-Vee off Interstate 435. 

According to Glenn E. Rice of the Kansas City Star, the "player" weighs 150 pounds and stands 14 feet tall. The billboard depicted him leaping for a fly ball against the outfield wall at Kauffman Stadium. 

It was a great billboard until some unnamed thieves had to go and ruin it. Sad.

Thieves steal the 14-foot tall @royals outfielder from this @LamarOOH @HyVee billboard off of I-435 & Truman Road pic.twitter.com/QbXWFC5ZAJ

— Andres Gutierrez (@AFGutierrez) April 28, 2016

There is some good news to report as of Friday morning, however. Brandon Richard, a reporter for KCTV5 in Kansas City, tweeted an image of what appears to be the found statue: 

#BREAKING: Missing Royals player stolen from billboard has been found @KCTV5 pic.twitter.com/NpN08xC8OC

— Brandon Richard (@BrandonLRichard) April 29, 2016

Really, this has to be a win for Hy-Vee, right? The theft of its statue probably garnered way more attention than one billboard would have on its own. 

[h/t SB Nation, Kansas City Star]

Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer doesn't want to be called a hero despite saving a teenage girl from possibly being trampled following a Justin Bieber concert this week.

Hosmer went to the performance Wednesday night with a group of teammates, including Alex Gordon, Mike Moustakas and Wade Davis, according to ESPN.com. They were mobbed outside the Sprint Center in Kansas City, and one girl got knocked to the ground amid the chaos.

"I think that happened before we all realized what was going [on]," Hosmer said. "Just helped her up real quick. Just doing what a guy should do. You see someone fall, you should help her up."

He added: "I just saw a girl fall in front of me, and I helped her up. It wasn't anything heroic or anything like that."

Hosmer also noted it came as a surprise to the players that they were recognized and approached by so many people after the concert.

"I guess that's what happens when you win a world championship: You become more popular," he said, per ESPN.com.

Meanwhile, the Royals' title defense is off to a solid start with two wins in their first three games. They edged the Minnesota Twins 4-3 on Friday night. The 26-year-old first baseman is hitting .300 with a .417 on-base percentage in the early going.

Hosmer clearly wants any recognition he receives to come for his on-field work. But he prevented a potentially dangerous situation from getting out of control Wednesday night and deserves credit for that, even if he tried to downplay the importance of his actions.