Royals announce 2022 Opening Day roster
KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals announced the following roster moves this morning to finalize their Opening Day Roster: infielder Bobby Witt Jr. has been selected, right-handed pitcher Joel Payamps has been placed on the Family Medical Emergency List and left-handed pitcher Daniel Tillo has been designated for assignment.
The Royals have 40 players on the Major League Reserve List, with right-handed pitcher Tyler Zuber on the 60-day Injured List.
Kansas City’s 28-man Opening Day roster includes 15 players who made the Opening Day roster in 2021, including pitchers Scott Barlow, Jake Brentz, Carlos Hernández, Brad Keller, Brady Singer and Josh Staumont; catchers Cam Gallagher and Salvador Perez; infielders Nicky Lopez and Carlos Santana; outfielders Andrew Benintendi, Kyle Isbel and Michael A. Taylor; and infielder/outfielders Hunter Dozier and Whit Merrifield.
Six Royals made the Opening Day roster for the first time, including pitchers Kris Bubic, Dylan Coleman, Jackson Kowar, Daniel Lynch and Collin Snider; and infielder Bobby Witt Jr. The first appearance for Snider and Witt Jr. will mark their Major League debuts.
At 21 years, 297 days old, Witt Jr. is expected to become the youngest player in Royals history to make his Major League debut on Opening Day. Entering today, the youngest Royal to debut on Opening Day was Alex Gordon, who was 23 years, 51 days old in his Majors debut on Opening Day in 2007. Witt. Jr., who was born on June 14, 2000, will become the first player to appear for the Royals who was born in the 21st Century.
Zack Greinke made the Opening Day roster for the 16th time in his career and is making his sixth career Opening Day start today. This marks his fifth Opening Day start in the last seven years, which matches Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer and Aaron Nola for the second most in the Majors since 2016, trailing only Madison Bumgarner
Carlos Santana made the Opening Day roster for the 12th consecutive season dating back to 2011. This matches Freddie Freeman and Giancarlo Stanton for the 10th-longest active streak by a position player, according to _Elias_, trailing Albert Pujols (22 straight including this season), Miguel Cabrera (19), Yadier Molina (18), Kurt Suzuki (15), Joey Votto (15), Nelson Cruz (14), Elvis Andrus (14), Jason Heyward (13) and Andrew McCutchen (13).
Salvador Perez is making his eighth career Opening Day start at catcher, most in franchise history at that position. His eight career Opening Day starts are tied with Alcides Escobar and Fred Patek for the eighth most in franchise history.