KC Royals News: Some midweek spring training tidbits

What’s going on as spring training camp opens in Arizona for the KC Royals?

Some midweek KC Royals musings while wondering if the club has made any overtures to reliever Trevor Rosenthal:

Spring training is underway for the Royals–pitchers and catchers are slated for their first workout today at the club’s complex in Surprise, Arizona.

Kansas City is welcoming former hurlers Wade Davis and Ervin Santana to Surprise. Both are trying to make the club on minor league deals and received non-roster spring training invitations.

Other notable non-roster invitees include pitcher Asa Lacy, KC’s top 2020 draft pick; Hanser Alberto, Baltimore’s former regular second baseman who recently signed a free agent deal with the Royals; infielder Bobby Witt. Jr., the hot club prospect likely to make his big league debut sometime this season; and Bubba Starling, a former first round pick facing the most critical spring training of his career.

The KC Royals currently have 28 Cactus League contests scheduled

Kansas City has 28 spring training games on its schedule. While starting times for three contests haven’t been determined, the Royals are slated to play only three night games.

The team will host half of its games at Surprise Stadium, and no split squad contests are scheduled this year.

Exhibition contest against Northwest Arkansas affiliate postponed

The Royals’ final 2021 pre-season tune-up, a March 29 exhibition game against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, their Double A farm club, has been postponed. The Naturals attributed the move to COVID-19.

Former KC Royals find employment in offseason’s final days

As of late Tuesday night, six more former Kansas City players—three pitchers, a pair of outfielders and an infielder—had signed free agent contracts with new clubs in the last few days.

Mike Montgomery is joining the Mets, Matt Harvey signed with the Orioles, Milwaukee inked Brad Boxberger, Brian Goodwin caught on with Pittsburgh, Cleveland signed Billy Hamilton, and the White Sox welcomed Matt Reynolds.

In case you missed it: some Kings of Kauffman stories from the past several days

Sharing again some of our recent work: David Scharff said the Andrew Benintendi trade brought the Royals just what they need and didn’t heap any praise on the decision to carry the extra innings runner rule over from last season, while I projected 2021 performances for pitcher Jesse Hahn, fellow hurler Ervin Santana, and infielder-outfielder Ryan O’Hearn.

That’s it for now. We’ll be back next Wednesday with another midweek KC Royals news roundup. Until then, stay safe and healthy.