Royals Rumblings - News for June 24, 2024

I miss when the Boys Were Playing Some Ball.

The Royals scuffled on offense, getting swept for the first time this year.

“We’re going to keep playing hard,” Royals catcher and captain Salvador Perez said. “We’re going to forget about today. It’s over. Bad series for us. We concentrate on tomorrow and try to win the series at home.”

Michael Wacha was solid in his return from injury.

“What a competitor,” Quatraro said. “He’s pitching on a hurt foot, battling back this whole time without it being 100%. It’s a huge part of what he means to this team.”

The only mistake was a changeup to Josh Smith on a full count. Smith got just enough to push it over the wall to make it 1-0 in the fourth.

“Overall, felt like stuff was good and was able to put guys away at times when I really needed to,” Wacha said. “I felt like it was a good one to build on, coming back.”

J.J. Picollo says the team will be aggressive at the trade deadline.

“The thing we have to keep in mind is, I like to think that we’re just getting into a window where we’re going to have a nice handful of seasons,” Picollo said. “How far do we want to push this thing is something that we have to answer as a front office.

“But I will say that I feel an obligation personally to the guys that committed to this team and chose Kansas City, and to the Salvador Perezes and the Bobby Witts who have chosen be here long term to add to this club. So, we will be aggressive, and we’ll look at anything and everything.”

Kevin O’Brien at Royals Reporter is still taking the long view on the Royals despite a bad stretch.

They are on track to build something special and have a few pieces in Omaha that could solve their problems if given the opportunity (both on the pitching and hitting end). Even if they aren’t, the Royals have two months before the Trade Deadline. There is time to test things out and still look outside the organization if necessary.

This has been one of the most fun Royals seasons in a while. This is the first time the Royals have played meaningful baseball this deep into the season since 2017. That shouldn’t be lost, especially since many around the league didn’t expect this back in February.

It would be a shame that, as Royals fans, we missed it or didn’t enjoy it enough because we were focused on a “mediocre” (not even poor) month of play.

Adam Frazier is day-to-day after spraining his thumb.

Bobby Witt Jr. talks about battling Baltimore shortstop Gunnar Henderson in All-Star voting.

Manager Matt Quatraro missed the final game of the Texas series due to personal matters.

Royals coach José Alguacil reflects on his memories with Willie Mays when they were with the Giants.

An exhibit honoring the 100th anniversary of the Kansas City Monarchs winning the first-ever “Colored World Series” is on display at the Negro League Baseball Museum.

Blue Jays’ infielder Orelvis Martinez gets an 80-game ban for PEDs just two days after his MLB debut.

Mets closer Edwin Diaz is ejected for having a foreign substance.

The Yankees acquire infielder J.D. Davis from the Athletics.

The Blue Jays get former Royals reliever Jose Cuas off waivers from the Cubs.

Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton will miss about four weeks with a hamstring strain.

The Phillies agree on a four-year, $22.5 million contract for pitcher Cristopher Sánchez.

Aaron Judge will skip the Home Run Derby this year.

The Cubs unveil a statue for Ryne Sandberg.

The Brewers were supposed to re-load this year, but they’re in first place.

On ESPN Insider, which slumping stars are in danger of not turning things around?

Will Charlotte, North Carolina ever get an MLB team?

Tennessee ties things up in the College World Series finals, setting up tonight’s championship against Texas A&M.

The U.S. Men’s National team defeats Bolivia in its first 2024 Copa América match.

Is Stephen A. Smith worth $25 million to ESPN?

Apple and Meta have discussed an AI partnership.

Why the temperature listed doesn’t reflect how dangerous the heat can be.

110,905 fans came out to see George Strait, setting a concert record.

Your song of the day is The Pixies with Wave of Mutilation.