The #Royals expressed confidence in their coaching staff yesterday but will continue to evaluate this month and through the offseason what they need to help the staff and the players: www.mlb.com/news/royals-...

#Royals GM JJ Picollo says hitting coach Alec Zumwalt “will return” as the hitting coach in 2026 and “most of the staff” will return as well. Might be tweaks to the staff to help get most out of players.

Year 5 on the #Royals beat challenged me in new ways. I learned a lot. Grew a lot. Thank you to everyone who read and interacted this year. I might go sleep for a week now but the work doesn't stop in the offseason, so we'll have it all covered on MLB.com. Cheers!

Bobby Witt Jr: "Now we’ve got to ask, ‘How motivated can we get because of this year?’ We can’t be satisfied with playing .500. We can’t be satisfied with making the postseason one year. Hopefully it lights a fire under the guys. I’m ready to get to work." www.mlb.com/royals/news/...

Only two #Royals have ever held the title of MLB saves leader in franchise history — Dan Quisenberry and now Carlos Estévez. Clinching the title with his 42nd save last night was fitting for a guy who has meant a lot to the #Royals this year:

Michael Wacha made his 31st start of the season tonight, a new career high for the 13-year veteran pitcher. Been an anchor for the rotation all year. In his season finale, he spun six scoreless innings, allowing just two hits, walking three and striking out five. #Royals

As the final series of 2025 gets underway for the #Royals, thought this quote from Michael Lorenzen -- a vet who has been with several orgs in his career -- last night was good perspective. I asked him what it's been like to pitch for this team the past year-plus.

Vinnie, Salvy, history: First #Royals teammates with 30 HRs, 100 RBIs in a season

Stephen “quality start” Kolek. Kolek ends season without his best stuff, but by still giving the #Royals a quality start, showing again how he can be a part of their future: www.mlb.com/news/stephen...

The Guardians won, tying the Tigers atop the AL Central and owning the tiebreaker. Just wild. That win also officially eliminates the #Royals from postseason contention.

One final day at The K for the 2025 regular season. A #Royals win will keep Toronto from clinching a postseason berth. It'll also stave off elimination for another day. A loss + wins from either Cleveland or Houston today officially eliminates KC from postseason contention.

“It’ll never get old,” Noah Cameron says of the standing ovation he received from 25,000 at Kauffman Stadium last night as he wrapped up his final regular season home start of 2025. And what a 2025 it has been for the rookie: www.mlb.com/news/royals-...

Jensen atop #Royals historic offensive spree in win over Blue Jays:

Leadoff double for Carter Jensen off Max Scherzer. That's fun.

Two more injury updates: --Ryan Bergert's MRI revealed a mild flexor strain, and the #Royals are expecting him be healthy for spring training in 2026. --Seth Lugo (low back strain) is feeling better but has not thrown. A return this year is becoming a "long shot," Quatraro said.

Lucas Erceg is dealing with a mild right shoulder impingement, something he could potentially pitch through if the stakes were greater than they are now. But #Royals are being cautious and don't want to push him, as they need him to be healthy in 2026.

Within this story, #Royals veterans yesterday reminded the clubhouse that these remaining games are still meaningful no matter what the standings look like. Last night’s win showed more of the fight they’d like to see.

Ryan Bergert is expected to be placed on the IL today or soon. Luinder Avila has a locker in the #Royals clubhouse. Not the way Bergert wanted his season to end, but he showed that he’s part of KC’s future with the way he pitched post Deadline. www.mlb.com/news/royals-...

“I love competing with these guys, being on the field with these guys and trying to help this team win.” The #Royals win was decided long after Ragans departed last night, but it sure was nice to see their ace back on the mound: www.mlb.com/news/cole-ra...

Manager Matt Quatraro said that Ryan Bergert felt forearm tightness in his bullpen today, so he’s expected to go on the IL. That’s why Michael Lorenzen only threw an inning tonight — he’ll make Friday’s start.

#Royals center fielder Kyle Isbel is out of the game in the top of the third inning with Tyler Tolbert taking over in center. Not sure why yet but Isbel is sitting in the dugout with a trainer.

Ragans strikes out the side in the first inning. He threw 11 pitches, 10 strikes. Fastball up to 98. That's a pretty good start to his return. #Royals

Cole Ragans' first three pitches in his first big league game since June: 95.7 mph swinging strike 97 mph swinging strike 97.6 mph swinging strike

With Cole Ragans’ return tonight, Michael Lorenzen will head to the bullpen in a piggyback-type role. Ragans isn’t built up fully — likely around 60-70 pitches — so with this being Lorenzen’s normal day to pitch too, #Royals will have him as coverage.

#Royals are down 7-0 in the third inning. Michael Wacha went 2 2/3 innings in his return from the IL.

Great moment from #Royals fans to give Salvador Perez an ovation after 300 career homers. Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh stepped in front of the plate, starter Logan Gilbert stepped off the mound to let Salvy have his moment, and he tipped his helment to the crowd.

Seth Lugo (low back strain) didn’t respond well to his bullpen Monday, so he’ll be shut down a few more days to see if symptoms clear. Thursday’s starter will be Stephen Kolek.

The #Royals will have Michael Wacha return and start the series opener against the Mariners on Tuesday night. Wednesday's starter: Cole Ragans. Thursday is listed as TBA

Carlos Estévez left today’s game with mild back tightness. Precautionary. Estévez said he was fine with coming out of the game because of the situation but he’s pitched with worse. So, sounds like he’s all good.

Second AB, second HR, and a milestone! Salvador Perez hit his 300th career home run in the third inning, which also marked 1,000 career RBIs. He's the 8th primary catcher in MLB history to record 300 HRs. He's the 10th active player to reach 1,000 RBIs. #Royals

Cole Ragans “feels fantastic” today, manager Matt Quatraro said. Ragans is scheduled for a bullpen Sunday. If all goes well, #Royals anticipate his next start being in big leagues. Potential to see Ragans, Seth Lugo & Michael Wacha back in KC rotation on the homestand next week.

Six games back. 14 games to play. “You look at how many games are left. We’re running out of time. We’ve got to do something about it.” www.mlb.com/news/royals-...

Cole Ragans will make his second rehab start tonight in Triple-A. Plan is to throw around 60 pitches. And then, if he checks out OK health-wise, the #Royals can think about his return to KC... Manager Matt Quatraro: "If everything goes well, we hope that this is the last one."

Left-handed batters in #Royals history to record a 30-home run season: John Mayberry (34 in 1975) George Brett (30 in 1985) Mike Moustakas (38 in 2017) Vinnie Pasquantino, who hit No. 30 tonight to give KC a 2-0 lead in the first inning.

Vinnie Pasquantino tweaked his left ankle last night running the bases but said last night he isn’t concerned about it limiting his play. He’s DH-ing today after a long stretch of games at 1B + getting Salvador Perez a day off behind the plate.

Jac Caglianone used his IL stint to get healthy and reset last month. Now, he’s finding ways on base and feels like things have slowed down when he steps into the batter’s box. It hasn’t gone unnoticed: www.mlb.com/news/jac-cag...

Hosmer, Moose ready to light up The K again in Home Run Derby X this weekend: www.mlb.com/news/eric-ho...

The #Royals know where they stand. There was no downplaying how important last night’s win was. Now they have to do it again today: www.mlb.com/news/vinnie-...

Bobby Witt Jr. was back Tuesday but #Royals also lost Michael Wacha to 7-day concussion IL, marking fourth starter currently on IL: www.mlb.com/royals/news/...

"It hurts. Definitely, those losses hurt worse than blowouts. It’s part of it." Cameron delivers what #Royals need, but bats can't back him up in another loss:

RHP Jonathan Bowlan will start Wednesday for the #Royals.

Cole Ragans is scheduled for another rehab start in Triple-A on Friday. Tomorrow likely looks like a bullpen day for the #Royals but that will depend on what happens tonight.

Quatraro did not disclose what happened to Wacha, only saying it’s “nothing overly serious, we don't think, but something that's going to keep him from pitching a minimum of seven days.” So another #Royals starter hits the IL.

#Royals news: —Bobby Witt Jr. is in the lineup, playing SS —RHP Michael Wacha placed on the 7-day concussion IL due to a minor off-field accident. He’s headed back to KC for further eval. He won’t make tomorrow’s start. TBD on who does. —2B Jonathan India is back from the IL

No #Royals lineup yet, which means they’re waiting on Bobby Witt Jr.’s status before officially setting it. He was supposed to do more baseball activity this afternoon to determine his readiness to play.

The #Royals are being no-hit through seven innings by Guardians pitcher Slade Cecconi.

Ryan Bergert had been remarkably consistent for the #Royals entering this start. Hadn't allowed more than two runs and had pitched into the sixth inning in all six starts with KC. In his 7th start tonight: 3 1/3 IP, 11 H, 8 ER, 3 BB (1 IBB), 3 K. 77 pitches, 51 strikes.

More on Witt’s status from Quatraro: “We’re gonna see how he feels as the day progresses, after that (pregame) activity. There’s an outside chance he's available for some sort of game action today, but if not, we're very encouraged that he’ll play sooner rather than later.”

Bobby Witt Jr. is out of the lineup for the third straight day but did some baseball activity this afternoon (running, glove work). Said he feels “better.” Plan is to see how he responds to that and then potentially hit. “It’s gotten better every day since.”