MLB Standings
The top two teams in the American League are both in the Central division as the 80-54 Royals trail the White Sox (84-50) by 4 games. The Mariners (74-59) and the Red Sox (73-61) have both maintained their leads in the West and East respectively, with the Royals leading the Wild Card by 13 games.
In the National League, the Padres (89-46) have slowed down but still have the best record in baseball for an 11-game lead in the West. The Cardinals (71-62) and the Marlins (68-67) lead the Central and East although neither have played particularly impressively so far and those divisions could become a dogfight over the last month of the season.
Kansas City Results
The month started badly for the Royals as they lost five of seven to Division rivals – 2-1 in Cleveland and 3-1 in Chicago. The Chicago series could come back to haunt the Royals as they fell to 4-6 in the season series so will need to sweep the final home series in September to take the tiebreaker.
After getting shutout at home in game one of three game series against the Yankees, Kansas City was worried! Thankfully, they turned it around taking the final two games of the series and then winning both games in a short series against St. Louis.
They then took two of three in Minnesota and again in Milwaukee, before coming home to win another series by the same score against the Avalanche.
The final two series of the month were sweeps, both to the Royals; at home against the Phillies and on the road in Detroit.
All that provided an 18-9 month which the Royals were delighted to bank after the 2-6 start!
Kansas City Team Statistics
The Royals remain the best batting team in the American League by most metrics; although their stolen bases ranking has dopped to 10th, they remain top in eight categories and third in Home Runs. The pitching has solidified with the additions to sit 5th in starter ERA and Reliever ERA while allowing the least hits and throwing the most strikeouts – a solid combination!
Billy Mumaugh (157 wRC+) and Jeremy Rogerson (129 wRC+) have kept the good times rolling in Kansas City, with both still in with a chance of 30-100 seasons with a strong September. Along with Drew Burress (105 wRC+) the Royals have three of the best five averages in the American League, with Rogerson on track for his second Batting Title in a row.
Mason Barnett (134 FIP-) struggled in August but was more than picked up by Brad LaPointe (68 FIP-) and Curt Bogans (73 FIP-). Bogans remains on track for 200 Ks, with 206 needed to make the Royals top ten list! The bullpen remains in flux, mostly due to injuries but Shane Baz (59 FIP-) is holding it together with acquisition Billy Nicklas (49 FIP-).
Transactions & Injuries
Sunday, August 6th , 2034
SP Chase Dollander was injured while pitching. The diagnosis is not yet known.
Monday, August 7th , 2034
Sent CL Jimmy Lininger to Triple A Omaha for injury rehab.
Wednesday, August 9th , 2034
RP Eddie Baquerizo was injured while pitching. The diagnosis is not yet known.
SP Chase Dollander diagnosed with a rotator cuff strain, will miss 5 weeks.
RP Jonathan Fleri was designated for assignment and placed on waivers.
Purchased the contract of SP Liam Peterson from Triple A Omaha.
Friday, August 11th , 2034
RP Eddie Baquerizo diagnosed with a torn rotator cuff, will miss 4 months.
Purchased the contract of RP Jimmy Lininger from Triple A Omaha.
Tuesday, August 15th , 2034
1B Jeremy Rogerson was injured while running the bases. The Diagnosis: bruised ankle. This is a day-to-day injury expected to last 5 days.
Monday, August 21st , 2034
3B Danny Petty was injured while throwing the ball. The diagnosis is not yet known.
Tuesday, August 22nd , 2034
3B Danny Petty diagnosed with a partially torn labrum, will miss 5-6 weeks.
Purchased the contract of SS Ed Nicholson from Triple A Omaha.
Thursday, August 24th , 2034
1B Luis Zesati was injured while running the bases. The Diagnosis: mild hamstring strain. This is a day-to-day injury expected to last one week.
Saturday, August 26th , 2034
SS Bobby Witt Jr. was injured in a collision at a base. The diagnosis is not yet known.
Sunday, August 27th , 2034
SS Bobby Witt Jr. diagnosed with a sore elbow, is day-to-day for 3 weeks.
Monday, August 28th , 2034
LF Enny Mijhail Van Dyke was injured while running the bases. The Diagnosis: torn hamstring. He's expected to miss about 4-5 weeks.
SS Bobby Witt Jr. was injured while throwing the ball. The Diagnosis: sore elbow. This is a day-to-day injury expected to last one week.
Purchased the contract of RF Edgar Manzo from Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of 2B Chris Lee from Triple A Omaha.
Thursday, August 31st , 2034
CF Alex Duke was injured while running the bases. The diagnosis is not yet known.
Wow! It was a rough month for the Royals with injuries and there are fingers crossed around the city for several players recovery in time for the postseason.
It started on the 6th with Chase Dollander going down one inning into his second start of the month. The following day saw some good news as Jimmy Lininger was available and went to a minor league rehab assignment.
The 9th was a bad day though, as Dollander was diagnosed with a rotator cuff strain, meaning he would miss 5 weeks. That saw Minor League Free Agent Liam Peterson called up from AAA; having added 1.3 WAR for the Avalanche in 2033, he has offered three league average starts. On the same day, Closer Eddie Baquerizo went down with an injury while pitching!
The worst news was confirmed on the 11th, season over with a torn rotator cuff. A tough end to what had been a good sophomore year in the majors, 26 saves across 42 games with a 2.76 ERA. This caused the Royals to recall Lininger very early from his rehab stint.
The rest of the month was the turn of the batters! On the 15th the Royals lost Jeremy Rogerson to an injury running the bases and the Royals feared the worst but luckily he was day-to-day for only 5 days.
The good luck didn’t last though as it was a rough last few days of the month. The Royals lost Danny Petty for 5-6 weeks, Bobby Witt Jr. to a day-to-day injury the team don’t want to take any risks with, and Enny Mijhail Van Dyke for 4-5 weeks. The last day of the month saw Alex Duke go down running the bases; the Royals wait with fingers crossed for the diagnosis next month.
Minor League News
Texas League (AA) Batter of the Month: Alejandro Estrada (2028 International Amateur) .345, 11 HRs, 33 RBIs
Texas League (AA) Pitcher of the Month: Gebre-Mariam Ufanisi (2032 9th Round) 7-8 SV, 15 K, 13.2 IP.
Dominican Rookie League (R) Batter of the Month Jesus Cipolloni (2032 Trade ATL) .527, 19 HRs, 69 RBIs
Around the League
Transactions
Monday, August 28th , 2034
Seattle Mariners: Signed SP Billy Almarez to a 5-year contract extension worth a total of $151,900,000.
Friday, August 11th , 2034
San Francisco Giants: Signed 3B Jace Jung to a 2-year contract extension worth a total of $20,000,000.
Injuries
Thursday, August 31st , 2034
Texas Rangers: RF Steve Morris diagnosed with shoulder inflammation, will miss 2 months.
Wednesday, August 30th , 2034
New York Mets: RF Felix Stevens diagnosed with a fractured hand, will miss 5-6 weeks.
Cincinnati Reds: LF Juan Soto was injured while running the bases. The Diagnosis: latissimus dorsi (back) strain. He's expected to miss about 5-6 weeks.
Sunday, August 27th , 2034
Washington Nationals: SP Carson Whisenhunt diagnosed with a strained biceps, will miss 4-5 weeks.
Philadelphia Phillies: SP Drew Thorpe diagnosed with a partially torn labrum, will miss 6-7 weeks.
Friday, August 25th , 2034
Miami Marlins: 1B Jaheim Osagie diagnosed with a torn meniscus, will miss 4 months.
Boston Red Sox: LF Roman Anthony was injured while running the bases. The Diagnosis: plantar fasciitis. He's expected to miss about 6 weeks.
Wednesday, August 23rd , 2034
Atlanta Braves: 2B Colt Emerson diagnosed with a separated shoulder, will miss 4-5 weeks.
Tuesday, August 22nd , 2034
Washington Nationals: RF Mike Wills diagnosed with a torn hamstring, will miss 8 weeks.
Chicago White Sox: 2B Mike Jackson diagnosed with a hamstring strain, will miss 3-4 weeks.
Monday, August 21st , 2034
Los Angeles Dodgers: Macon Winslow has suffered a setback in his recovery. He is not expected to recover for another 4 months.
Baltimore Orioles: RP Victor Mederos was injured while pitching. The Diagnosis: strained hamstring. This is a day-to-day injury expected to last 3-4 weeks.
Sunday, August 20th , 2034
Cincinnati Reds: 3B Derward Rosas diagnosed with a fractured rib, will miss 5 weeks.
Los Angeles Dodgers: RP Sergio Lago diagnosed with elbow tendinitis, will miss 5-6 weeks.
San Diego Padres: SP Stephon Mickell diagnosed with a strained biceps, will miss 4 weeks.
New York Yankees: LF Kevin Bales was injured while running the bases. The Diagnosis: latissimus dorsi (back) strain. He's expected to miss about 7-8 weeks.
Saturday, August 19th , 2034
Baltimore Orioles: SP Thatcher Hurd diagnosed with a sore shoulder, will miss 5 weeks.
Thursday, August 17th , 2034
Seattle Mariners: Julio Rodriguez has suffered a setback in his recovery. He is not expected to recover for another 9 months.
St. Louis Cardinals: RF Bryce Eldridge diagnosed with a strained posterior cruciate ligament, will miss 6 weeks.
Wednesday, August 16th , 2034
Detroit Tigers: RP Jackson Jobe diagnosed with a torn rotator cuff, will miss 13-14 months.
Monday, August 14th , 2034
Baltimore Orioles: RF Zac Veen diagnosed with a fractured hand, will miss 4-5 weeks.
Sunday, August 13th , 2034
Atlanta Braves: RP Spencer Strider diagnosed with a strained triceps, will miss 4 weeks.
San Francisco Giants: 2B Vincent Warrior diagnosed with a ruptured finger tendon, will miss 4 months.
Saturday, August 12th , 2034
Tampa Bay Rays: 2B David Ojeda diagnosed with a broken bone in the elbow, will miss 9 months.
Friday, August 11th , 2034
Baltimore Orioles: SP Nick Frasso diagnosed with a strained hamstring, is day-to-day for 3-4 weeks.
Washington Nationals: CF Jim Jenkins diagnosed with a strained oblique, will miss 6-7 weeks.
San Francisco Giants: 3B Sterlin Thompson was injured being hit by a pitch. The Diagnosis: fractured cheekbone. He's expected to miss about 5-6 weeks.
Thursday, August 10th , 2034
Baltimore Orioles: SP Jackson Baumeister diagnosed with a ruptured finger tendon, will miss 3 months.
Toronto Blue Jays: LF Jeremy Thornton diagnosed with a rotator cuff strain, will miss 7-8 weeks.
Texas Rangers: RP Luis Jaramillo diagnosed with a ruptured ulnar collateral ligament, will miss 13 months.
Wednesday, August 9th , 2034
Houston Astros: 1B Curtis Mead was injured while running the bases. The Diagnosis: torn groin. He's expected to miss about 6 weeks.
Arizona Diamondbacks: 2B Jordan Lawlar was injured being hit by a pitch. The Diagnosis: fractured finger. He's expected to miss about 5-6 weeks.
Tuesday, August 8th , 2034
Washington Nationals: RF Mike Wills diagnosed with a strained quad, is day-to-day for 5 weeks.
Sunday, August 6th , 2034
Los Angeles Dodgers: C Macon Winslow diagnosed with a torn abdominal muscle, will miss 4 weeks.
New York Mets: SP Leighton Finley was injured while pitching. The Diagnosis: hamstring strain. He's expected to miss about 4 weeks.
Friday, August 4th , 2034
Milwaukee Brewers: SS Daniel Guilarte diagnosed with knee tendinitis, will miss 4 weeks.
Miami Marlins: RP Geoff Phillips diagnosed with a partially torn labrum, will miss 3 months.
Thursday, August 3rd , 2034
Pittsburgh Pirates: C Dave Holcombe was injured while running the bases. The Diagnosis: sprained ankle. He's expected to miss about 4 weeks.
Tuesday, August 1st , 2034
Toronto Blue Jays: Danny Rose has suffered a setback in his recovery. He is not expected to recover for another 8 months.
Houston Astros: 3B Cutter Coffey was injured in a collision at a base. The Diagnosis: oblique strain. He's expected to miss about 4 weeks.