3 key things need to happen before July for the KC Royals

The Royals need to get Michael Wacha and Michael Massey back

After missing much of April with the back issue that sidelined him during spring training, second baseman Massey headed back to the Injured List with more back trouble in late May, And a foot fracture forced starting pitcher Wacha to the IL June 2.

The Royals have definitely missed them both.

Massey went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI when he debuted April 19, and was hitting .294 with six homers and 23 RBI in 29 games when his back let him down against Tampa Bay May 29. Since then, Nick Loftin is hitting only .237 while serving as the club's primary second sacker.

The Royals recalled Daniel Lynch IV after Wacha's injury, presumably hoping he'd fill in serviceably, but he didn't and is back in the minors. Wacha was 3-2 in May and his 4.24 ERA was skewed by the seven runs he allowed Texas in his first start of the month; take that game away, and his May ERA was 2.67.

Plain to see, then, is that Kansas City needs Wacha and Massey back soon. And that may happen — Wacha pitched four scoreless innings and struck out six in an Arizona Complex League rehab start Monday, and expect to see Massey in action Tuesday as he begins a rehab stint at Omaha.

And finally...