Meet the Kansas City Royals: A look at the official 2024 opening day MLB roster

The Kansas City Royals have announced their opening day roster for Thursday’s game against the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium.

First, some background: General manager J.J. Picollo sought to add veteran experience this offseason after the club lost 106 games (tying a franchise worst) in 2023.

Picollo brought in major-league veteran pitchers like three-time World Series champion Will Smith and fellow relievers Chris Stratton, John Schreiber, Nick Anderson and Matt Sauer.

Starting pitchers Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha arrived from the San Diego Padres. They will help fortify the Royals’ five-man rotation.

KC also added slugger Hunter Renfroe, utilityman Garrett Hampson and infielder Adam Frazier.

Here’s a first look at the Royals’ 26-man active roster for opening day:

Catchers (2): Salvador Perez, Freddy Fermin

Infielders (4): Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino, Maikel Garcia, Adam Frazier

Outfielders (5): Hunter Renfroe, MJ Melendez, Kyle Isbel, Dairon Blanco, Nelson Velazquez

Utility (2): Garrett Hampson, Nick Loftin

Starting Rotation (5): Cole Ragans (opening day starter), Seth Lugo, Brady Singer, Michael Wacha, Alec Marsh

Bullpen (8): Jordan Lyles, Angel Zerpa, Matt Sauer, John Schreiber, Nick Anderson, Chris Stratton, James McArthur, Will Smith

Key injuries

The Royals have a few injuries heading into the 2024 season.

Second baseman Michael Massey is dealing with lower back tightness. Meanwhile, relievers Carlos Hernandez (right-shoulder impingement), Jake Brentz (Grade 2 left hamstring strain) and Josh Taylor (left biceps soreness) were placed on the injured list, retroactive to March 25.

Meanwhile, the Royals have two players on the 60-day injured list.

Kris Bubic is still recovering from Tommy John Surgery. He is expected to return later this season. Kyle Wright is expected to miss the 2024 season after right shoulder surgery this offseason.

Fresh faces in KC

The Royals utilized free agency to sign the majority of their offseason class.

Lugo and Wacha were free-agent signings. Both pitchers spent last season with the Padres. Meanwhile, Smith and Stratton won a World Series with the Texas Rangers. They both arrived as free agents.

Other free-agent signings include Hampson, Frazier and Renfroe.

Hampson played with the Miami Marlins last season. Frazier spent 2023 with the Baltimore Orioles while Renfroe played for the Los Angeles Angels and Cincinnati Reds.

The Royals acquired Anderson and Kyle Wright in separate trades with the Atlanta Braves. KC traded for Schreiber during spring training.

Sauer was a 2023 Rule 5 Draft selection and will make his MLB debut this season.

The Royals’ young core

The Royals return much of their young core.

KC signed Witt to a massive contract extension this offseason. Pasquantino also returns from shoulder surgery and will slot back in at first base. Melendez is set to begin the 2024 season as a full-time outfielder.

Isbel is back to patrol center field. Both Garcia and Perez will reprise their roles at their respective infield spots. The Royals will utilize Loftin, Blanco and Fermin in multiple ways off the bench.

Velazquez will play the outfield and spend time as the designated hitter.

Ragans will start on opening day. The Royals hope Singer and Marsh can continue developing.

The bullpen will include McArthur and Zerpa. Lyles is also back in a relief role this season.

March/April

May

June

July

August

September