KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals agreed to one-year deals with outfielders Jorge Soler and Franchy Cordero, first baseman Hunter Dozier and right-handers Jesse Hahn and Jakob Junis on Wednesday as they brought arbitration-eligible players under contract during a busy week of roster management. The Royals also cut third baseman Maikel Franco, failing to offer a contract to a player who would have been due a substantial salary increase after hitting .278 with eight homers and 38 RBIs while playing on a $2.95 million deal last season. The only remaining arbitration-eligible players are two big ones: shortstop Adalberto Mondesi, their defensive linchpin and best all-around athlete, and No. 1 starter Brad Keller, who was 5-3 with a 2.47 ERA in nine starts last season. The 28-year-old Soler agreed to an $8.05 million contract that includes up to $250,000 in incentives, a big bump from prorated pay of $2,703,704 from his $7.3 million base salary last season. It came after the slugging... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals agreed to one-year deals with outfielders Jorge Soler and Franchy Cordero, first baseman Hunter Dozier and right-handers Jesse Hahn and Jakob Junis on Wednesday as they brought arbitration-eligible players under contract during a busy week of roster management. The Royals also cut third baseman Maikel Franco, failing to offer a contract to a player who would have been due a substantial salary increase after hitting .278 with eight homers and 38 RBIs while playing on a $2.95 million deal last season. The only remaining arbitration-eligible players are two big ones: shortstop Adalberto Mondesi, their defensive linchpin and best all-around athlete, and No. 1 starter Brad Keller, who was 5-3 with a 2.47 ERA in nine starts last season. The 28-year-old Soler agreed to an $8.05 million contract that includes up to $250,000 in incentives, a big bump from prorated pay of $2,703,704 from his $7.3 million base salary last season. It came after the slugging... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Royals placed outfielder Bubba Starling and right-hander Kyle Zimmer on the injured list and returned left-hander Mike Montgomery and outfielder Franchy Cordero from rehab assignments as part of a series of roster moves to set them up for the final five games of the season. Kansas City also recalled right-hander Jakob Junis, optioned infielder Erick Mejia to its alternate training site and transferred right-hander Matt Harvey to the 45-day injured list to create the necessary roster space. The Royals faced the Cardinals on Wednesday night before a four-game set against the Tigers to wrap up the season. Montgomery has been out since his start July 27 in Detroit with a lat strain and Cordero had been sidelined by a sprained wrist. Zimmer left his appearance Tuesday night with what manager Mike Matheny called a “zinger” in his right elbow while Starling's frustrating season at the plate will end because of back spasms. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

White sox first. Luis Robert grounds out to shortstop, Adalberto Mondesi to Ryan O'Hearn. Yoan Moncada walks. Jose Abreu flies out to deep center field to Bubba Starling. Yasmani Grandal singles to center field. Yoan Moncada to third. Edwin Encarnacion walks. Yasmani Grandal to second. Yoan Moncada scores. Eloy Jimenez homers to center field. Edwin Encarnacion scores. Yasmani Grandal scores. Leury Garcia singles to center field. Adam Engel flies out to left field to Whit Merrifield.4 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. White sox 4, Royals 0.White sox second. Nick Madrigal called out on strikes. Luis Robert homers to center field. Yoan Moncada singles to center field. Jose Abreu grounds out to shallow infield, Adalberto Mondesi to Ryan O'Hearn. Yoan Moncada to second. Yasmani Grandal grounds out to second base, Nicky Lopez to Ryan O'Hearn.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. White sox 5, Royals 0.White sox fifth. Leury Garcia singles to center field. Adam Engel singles to shallow left field.... [More]

Royals second. Ryan O'Hearn strikes out swinging. Maikel Franco homers to left field. Alex Gordon flies out to right field to Cameron Maybin. Franchy Cordero grounds out to second base, Jonathan Schoop to C.J. Cron.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Royals 1, Tigers 0.Tigers second. Jordy Mercer singles to shallow center field. Cameron Maybin singles to right center field, advances to 2nd. Jordy Mercer to third. Victor Reyes reaches on error. Jordy Mercer scores. Fielding error by Adalberto Mondesi. Austin Romine grounds out to shallow infield, Adalberto Mondesi to Ryan O'Hearn. Victor Reyes to second. Cameron Maybin to third. JaCoby Jones homers. Victor Reyes scores. Cameron Maybin scores. Niko Goodrum triples to deep right center field. Jonathan Schoop out on a sacrifice fly to deep center field to Brett Phillips. Niko Goodrum scores. Miguel Cabrera grounds out to second base, Whit Merrifield to Ryan O'Hearn.5 runs, 4 hits, 1 error, 0 left on. Tigers 5, Royals 1.Royals third. Brett Phillips... [More]

Indians first. Cesar Hernandez grounds out to second base, Whit Merrifield to Maikel Franco. Jose Ramirez reaches on error. Throwing error by Erick Mejia. Francisco Lindor strikes out swinging. Carlos Santana walks. Jose Ramirez to second. Franmil Reyes singles to right field. Carlos Santana to third. Jose Ramirez scores. Domingo Santana singles to center field, tagged out at second, Brett Phillips to Adalberto Mondesi. Franmil Reyes to third. Carlos Santana scores.2 runs, 2 hits, 1 error, 2 left on. Indians 2, Royals 0.Indians third. Cesar Hernandez singles to deep center field. Jose Ramirez singles to right field, advances to 3rd. Cesar Hernandez scores. Fielding error by Franchy Cordero. Francisco Lindor doubles to shallow left field. Jose Ramirez scores. Carlos Santana lines out to center field to Brett Phillips. Franmil Reyes reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Francisco Lindor out at third. Domingo Santana singles to left field. Franmil Reyes to second. Bradley Zimmer called... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Greg Holland struck out the top of Cleveland's order to strand the tying run at second base and Maikel Franco hit a sacrifice fly in the 10th inning to give the Kansas City Royals a 3-2 win over the Indians on Saturday in just the third major league game decided by the debated extra-inning runner rule.With Greg Allen on second, Holland fanned César Hernández and José Ramírez before getting All-Star Francisco Lindor to chase strike three in the dirt for the final out and the most unique save of his career.“It’s kind of strange," Holland said of Major League Baseball’s new rule designed to keep games from dragging in this condensed, 60-game season.The Royals could be heard whooping it up as they poured out of the dugout, with Mike Matheny posting his first win as Kansas City's manager — a win he knows some will say deserves an asterisk.“I love it. I hope we do it tomorrow," he said, referring to the automatic-runner rule, which has been used in the minors. "Though actually... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Greg Holland struck out the top of Cleveland's order to strand the tying run at second base and Maikel Franco hit a sacrifice fly in the 10th inning to give the Kansas City Royals a 3-2 win over the Indians on Saturday in just the third major league game decided by the debated extra-inning runner rule.With Greg Allen on second, Holland fanned César Hernández and José Ramírez before getting All-Star Francisco Lindor to chase strike three in the dirt for the final out and the most unique save of his career.The Royals could be heard whooping it up as they poured out of the dugout, with Mike Matheny posting his first win as Kansas City's manager.Holland's performance provided a fitting ending for the Royals, who got an excellent start from Brady Singer in his big league debut. Reliever Scott Barlow struck out two in the ninth to get the win.The Indians got just one hit after the third inning and finished with four.Jorge Soler and Salvador Pérez hit back-to-back homers in the... [More]

Royals first. Whit Merrifield strikes out swinging. Adalberto Mondesi lines out to shallow right field to Cesar Hernandez. Jorge Soler homers to left field. Salvador Perez homers to center field. Alex Gordon pops out to shallow left field to Jose Ramirez.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Royals 2, Indians 0.Indians third. Roberto Perez strikes out swinging. Bradley Zimmer singles to shallow right field. Cesar Hernandez singles to center field. Bradley Zimmer to second. Jose Ramirez singles to shallow right field. Cesar Hernandez to third. Bradley Zimmer scores. Francisco Lindor strikes out swinging. Carlos Santana grounds out to shallow right field to Ryan McBroom.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Royals 2, Indians 2.Royals tenth. Erick Mejia pinch-hitting for Ryan McBroom. Erick Mejia out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Jose Ramirez to Cesar Hernandez. Brett Phillips to third. Maikel Franco out on a sacrifice fly to deep center field to Oscar Mercado. Brett Phillips scores. Nicky Lopez walks.1 run, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Royals 3, Indians 2.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Royals placed right-hander Chance Adams and left-hander Randy Rosario on the injured list and right-hander Jesse Hahn on the bereavement list as they pared their roster down to 30 players Thursday ahead of opening day in Cleveland.Backup catcher Meibrys Viloria was reinstated from the injured list and recalled, along with right-hander Ronald Bolanos and outfielder Franchy Cordero, both of whom were acquired in a recent trade with San Diego. Left-handers Foster Griffin and Gabe Speier and right-hander Kyle Zimmer also were recalled.Veteran reliever Greg Holland, who helped pitch the Royals to a pair of World Series appearances, made the club along with outfielder Erick Mejia, right-hander Tyler Zuber and catcher Oscar Hernandez.Adams and Rosario join an injured list that includes right-handers Jakob Junis and Brad Keller, infielder Ryan O'Hearn, outfielder Hunter Dozier, catcher Cam Gallagher and infielder Kelvin Gutierrez. Junis, Keller and O'Hearn tested positive for COVID-19 but have been cleared to return, while Dozier and Gallagher are still out after positive tests.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City Royals outfielder Hunter Dozier has tested positive for COVID-19 and was placed on the injured list before the club played its final exhibition game against the Cardinals in St. Louis on Wednesday.The 28-year-old is coming off a breakthrough season in which he hit 26 homers, tied for the American League lead in triples and had 84 RBIs. He is expected to play a big role for the Royals during their abbreviated 60-game season, which begins against the Indians on Friday night in Cleveland."I’m disappointed to say the least,” Dozier said. “I have been hit with a couple of symptoms that go with the virus, so I need to follow our medical team’s direction, get well and then work on getting back on the field. It’s disheartening because I felt things were going well on the field and I have a good feeling about the ball club we have. “To have to watch for whatever period of time that I’m out is going to painful.”Painful for the Royals, too.They still have catcher... [More]

Royals first. Whit Merrifield strikes out swinging. Jorge Soler homers to center field. Hunter Dozier pops out to shallow right field to Willians Astudillo. Alex Gordon singles to right field. Cheslor Cuthbert flies out to center field to Ian Miller.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Royals 1, Twins 0.Twins second. Eddie Rosario strikes out swinging. Mitch Garver doubles to deep left center field. LaMonte Wade Jr flies out to center field to Erick Mejia. Willians Astudillo doubles to deep left field. Mitch Garver scores. Jonathan Schoop singles to shallow center field. Willians Astudillo to third. Ian Miller flies out to left field to Alex Gordon.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Twins 1, Royals 1.Twins fifth. Ian Miller doubles to deep left field. Luis Arraez grounds out to first base, Cheslor Cuthbert to Glenn Sparkman. Ian Miller to third. Jorge Polanco out on a sacrifice fly to deep center field to Erick Mejia. Ian Miller scores. Nelson Cruz called out on strikes.1 run, 1 hit, 0... [More]

Royals second. Hunter Dozier grounds out to shortstop, Luis Arraez to Marwin Gonzalez. Alex Gordon hit by pitch. Ryan McBroom singles to right field. Alex Gordon to second. Ryan O'Hearn doubles to deep right field. Ryan McBroom to third. Alex Gordon scores. Meibrys Viloria out on a sacrifice fly to left center field to Eddie Rosario. Ryan McBroom scores. Brett Phillips strikes out swinging.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Royals 2, Twins 0.Twins third. Jason Castro flies out to deep center field to Brett Phillips. LaMonte Wade Jr homers to center field. Luis Arraez singles to left field. Jorge Polanco strikes out on a foul tip. Nelson Cruz grounds out to third base, Hunter Dozier to Ryan O'Hearn.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Royals 2, Twins 1.Twins fifth. LaMonte Wade Jr triples to deep center field. Luis Arraez doubles to right field. LaMonte Wade Jr scores. Jorge Polanco walks. Nelson Cruz singles to center field. Jorge Polanco to second. Luis Arraez scores. Eddie Rosario pops... [More]

Twins first. Mitch Garver walks. Jorge Polanco doubles to deep right field. Mitch Garver to third. Nelson Cruz out on a sacrifice fly to deep center field to Erick Mejia. Jorge Polanco to third. Mitch Garver scores. Eddie Rosario pops out to Hunter Dozier. Miguel Sano triples to deep right center field. Jorge Polanco scores. Marwin Gonzalez flies out to right center field to Erick Mejia.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Twins 2, Royals 0.Royals sixth. Jorge Soler singles to left center field. Hunter Dozier grounds out to shallow infield, Mitch Garver to C.J. Cron. Jorge Soler to second. Alex Gordon doubles to deep right field. Jorge Soler scores. Ryan McBroom called out on strikes. Erick Mejia strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Twins 2, Royals 1.Twins sixth. Jorge Polanco walks. Nelson Cruz flies out to right field to Whit Merrifield. Eddie Rosario reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Jorge Polanco out at second. Miguel Sano walks. Eddie Rosario to second.... [More]

Royals second. Alex Gordon grounds out to second base, Jorge Polanco to Marwin Gonzalez. Ryan McBroom singles to third base. Erick Mejia walks. Ryan McBroom to second. Meibrys Viloria singles to shallow center field. Erick Mejia to third. Ryan McBroom out at home. Nicky Lopez singles to left field. Meibrys Viloria to second. Erick Mejia scores. Whit Merrifield walks. Nicky Lopez to second. Meibrys Viloria to third. Adalberto Mondesi walks. Whit Merrifield to second. Nicky Lopez to third. Meibrys Viloria scores. Jorge Soler walks. Adalberto Mondesi to second. Whit Merrifield to third. Nicky Lopez scores. Hunter Dozier grounds out to third base, Miguel Sano to Marwin Gonzalez.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Royals 3, Twins 0.Twins third. Ryan LaMarre flies out to deep center field to Erick Mejia. Mitch Garver singles to left field. Jorge Polanco doubles to deep right center field. Mitch Garver to third. Nelson Cruz homers to right field. Jorge Polanco scores. Mitch Garver scores. Eddie... [More]