Injuries & Moves: Loftin optioned to Triple-A
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April 18: INF Nick Loftin optioned to Triple-A Omaha
The Royals optioned Loftin on the team off-day Thursday, clearing the way for second baseman Michael Massey to rejoin the team this weekend. Massey has not been officially reinstated from the injured list, but that move will likely come ahead of Friday's series-opener against the Orioles.
The Royals had a tough decision to make when deciding the corresponding move whenever Massey was ready to return, but sending Loftin down allows him to get everyday at-bats with Omaha until another opportunity arises in the big leagues. In 13 games with Kansas City this season, Loftin slashed .276/.371/.276, with six RBIs, five strikeouts and five walks.
10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
2B Michael Massey (lower back tightness)
Expected return: Mid-to-late April
Massey, who was placed on the IL on Opening Day, took his rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha on the road the week of April 15 to Nashville for a series against the Brewers' Triple-A affiliate. Entering April 17, Massey is hitting .407 with six extra-base hits and eight RBIs, along with just two strikeouts, in six games with the Storm Chasers. He's close to a return with Kansas City, perhaps as early as April 19 when the Royals begin their homestand against the Orioles. (Last updated: April 17)
LHP Jake Brentz (left hamstring strain)
Expected return: May
Brentz was diagnosed with a Grade 2 hamstring strain after feeling a pull in his left leg during his Spring Training outing on March 17 against the Brewers. The timeline for his recovery was six weeks at the time, and he was placed on the injured list on March 28. Brentz has been throwing in Arizona and is close to heading out on a rehab assignment, which could come the week of April 22. (Last updated: April 17)
RHP Carlos Hernández (right shoulder impingement)
Expected return: May
Hernández, who was shut down from throwing early in Spring Training because of shoulder pain, is on track in his recovery and bullpen session schedule. Hernández will have to go on a rehab assignment before returning to the big league roster, but the Royals are hopeful he'll be able to join the bullpen still in the early part of the season. Hernández was placed on the 15-day IL on March 28, retroactive to March 25. (Last updated: April 15)
60-DAY INJURED LIST
LHP Josh Taylor (left arm/biceps nerve injury)
Expected return: Second half
Taylor felt soreness when he was warming up for his March 17 Cactus League outing and was shut down afterward with left biceps soreness. The lefty reliever was diagnosed with a musculocutaneous nerve injury, and his timeline to return is unknown, as he'll be shut down from throwing until his biceps and upper arm regain feeling and he improves strength. Taylor was transferred to the 60-day IL on April 7 to make room for Colin Selby on the 40-man roster. (Last updated: April 7)
LHP Kris Bubic (left elbow surgery)
Expected return: Mid-season
Bubic opted for full ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction surgery in April 2023 and has had a smooth recovery so far, targeting the middle of 2024 as a potential return date. He’s rehabbing at the Royals’ facility in Surprise, Ariz., and threw his first bullpen of the spring on Feb. 20. He was placed on the 60-day IL on Feb. 23 to make room for Austin Nola. Bubic has about two months of side sessions with increasing intensity before facing hitters, and the Royals are hopeful Bubic can head to a rehab assignment by May or June. (Last updated: March 28)
RHP Kyle Wright (right shoulder surgery)
Expected return: 2025
The Royals traded for Wright in November in exchange for Jackson Kowar knowing Wright was coming off shoulder surgery after the 2023 season. They made the move thinking ahead a year, foreseeing how Wright, who will be 29 in '25, could help after he led the Majors with 21 wins and posted a 3.19 ERA in '22. Pitchers who have this procedure typically take a year to return, and Wright is rehabbing in Kansas City with the goal of having a normal, non-rehabbing offseason later this year. He was placed on the 60-day IL on Feb. 17 to make room for reliever John Schreiber on the 40-man roster. (Last updated: March 28)