Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Anne Rogers @annerogers.bsky.social · 5d

Mike Jirschele quipped that he didn’t want anyone to bother him when his retirement was announced.

That’s totally Jirsch. And totally wasn’t going to happen — his legacy is too great with the #Royals for his phone to stay quiet.

“He’s a Royals legend.” www.mlb.com/news/mike-ji...

Beloved organizational fixture Jirschele retires after 48 years in pro ball

KANSAS CITY – He’s the coach who held Alex Gordon at third base in Game 7 of the 2014 World Series and the one who sent Lorenzo Cain dashing home in Game 6 of the ‘15 American League Championship Seri...

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Anne Rogers @annerogers.bsky.social · 7d

Eager to continue success on the field, #Royals owner John Sherman discusses payroll, offseason philosophy: www.mlb.com/royals/news/...

Eager to return to playoffs, Royals owner Sherman discusses payroll, offseason philosophy

KANSAS CITY – John Sherman’s office at Kauffman Stadium is full of images and memorabilia that pay homage to Royals baseball. One photo stands out because of the signature Salvy smile flashing in the ...

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Anne Rogers @annerogers.bsky.social · 10d

News: The #Royals will not bring back assistant hitting coaches Joe Dillon and Keoni DeRenne in 2026.

The org will be searching for new voices, thoughts and experience to balance out the staff, general manager J.J. Picollo tells me: www.mlb.com/news/royals-...

KC to seek new assistant hitting coaches for 2026

KANSAS CITY -- The Royals last week stated their confidence in hitting coach Alec Zumwalt and are opting for consistency by bringing back the leading voice of their hitting department who has the trus...

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Anne Rogers @annerogers.bsky.social · 14d

One thing potentially worth noting that I wrote in here: The Royals have not renewed director of hitting Drew Saylor’s contract. So that’ll be a role they have to fill on the Minor League side this offseason.

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Anne Rogers @annerogers.bsky.social · 14d

The #Royals expressed confidence in their coaching staff yesterday but will continue to evaluate this month and through the offseason what they need to help the staff and the players: www.mlb.com/news/royals-...

Royals could tweak coaching staff after missing playoffs

KANSAS CITY -- A year ago, the Royals were in Baltimore, embarking on their first postseason appearance in nine seasons. This year, they’ll begin their October at home instead of building on 2024’s po...

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Anne Rogers @annerogers.bsky.social · 15d

#Royals GM JJ Picollo says hitting coach Alec Zumwalt “will return” as the hitting coach in 2026 and “most of the staff” will return as well. Might be tweaks to the staff to help get most out of players.

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Anne Rogers @annerogers.bsky.social · 16d

Year 5 on the #Royals beat challenged me in new ways. I learned a lot. Grew a lot. Thank you to everyone who read and interacted this year. I might go sleep for a week now but the work doesn't stop in the offseason, so we'll have it all covered on MLB.com. Cheers!

Anne Rogers @annerogers.bsky.social · 16d

Bobby Witt Jr: "Now we’ve got to ask, ‘How motivated can we get because of this year?’ We can’t be satisfied with playing .500. We can’t be satisfied with making the postseason one year. Hopefully it lights a fire under the guys. I’m ready to get to work." www.mlb.com/royals/news/...

Royals add winning record to 2025 feats, but they aren't satisfied

WEST SACRAMENTO -- In the past 25 years of Royals baseball, there have been just six seasons in which the club has finished above .500, and 2025 is one of them. A 9-2 win over the A’s on Sunday at Sut...

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Anne Rogers @annerogers.bsky.social · 16d

Bobby Witt Jr: "Now we’ve got to ask, ‘How motivated can we get because of this year?’ We can’t be satisfied with playing .500. We can’t be satisfied with making the postseason one year. Hopefully it lights a fire under the guys. I’m ready to get to work." www.mlb.com/royals/news/...

Royals add winning record to 2025 feats, but they aren't satisfied

WEST SACRAMENTO -- In the past 25 years of Royals baseball, there have been just six seasons in which the club has finished above .500, and 2025 is one of them. A 9-2 win over the A’s on Sunday at Sut...

www.mlb.com

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Anne Rogers @annerogers.bsky.social · 17d

Only two #Royals have ever held the title of MLB saves leader in franchise history — Dan Quisenberry and now Carlos Estévez.

Clinching the title with his 42nd save last night was fitting for a guy who has meant a lot to the #Royals this year:

Estévez locks in as MLB's '25 saves leader, a rare feat in Royals history

WEST SACRAMENTO -- The Kansas City Royals franchise is in its 57th year, and only once before 2025 has it had an MLB saves leader. Now there are two. Carlos Estévez notched his 42nd save of the season on Saturday night in the Royals’ 4-2 win over the A’s at

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Anne Rogers @annerogers.bsky.social · 18d

Michael Wacha made his 31st start of the season tonight, a new career high for the 13-year veteran pitcher. Been an anchor for the rotation all year.

In his season finale, he spun six scoreless innings, allowing just two hits, walking three and striking out five. #Royals

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Anne Rogers @annerogers.bsky.social · 19d

As the final series of 2025 gets underway for the #Royals, thought this quote from Michael Lorenzen -- a vet who has been with several orgs in his career -- last night was good perspective. I asked him what it's been like to pitch for this team the past year-plus.

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Anne Rogers @annerogers.bsky.social · 19d

Vinnie, Salvy, history: First #Royals teammates with 30 HRs, 100 RBIs in a season

Vinnie, Salvy, history: First KC teammates with 30 HRs, 100 RBIs in a season

ANAHEIM -- Vinnie Pasquantino's power helped the Royals jump out to an early lead Thursday night, and Salvador Perez's power broke the game wide open at the end. Together, the two anchors in the middle of the lineup helped Kansas City to a 9-4 victory over the Angels at Angel

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Anne Rogers @annerogers.bsky.social · 20d

Stephen “quality start” Kolek.

Kolek ends season without his best stuff, but by still giving the #Royals a quality start, showing again how he can be a part of their future: www.mlb.com/news/stephen...

Kolek ends his season logging another quality start

ANAHEIM -- With a runner on second and Stephen Kolek in another jam Wednesday night, the righty realized his hands were too high as he came set on the mound, potentially giving the runner a peek into ...

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Anne Rogers @annerogers.bsky.social · 22d

The Guardians won, tying the Tigers atop the AL Central and owning the tiebreaker. Just wild.

That win also officially eliminates the #Royals from postseason contention.

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Anne Rogers @annerogers.bsky.social · 24d

One final day at The K for the 2025 regular season.

A #Royals win will keep Toronto from clinching a postseason berth. It'll also stave off elimination for another day.

A loss + wins from either Cleveland or Houston today officially eliminates KC from postseason contention.

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Anne Rogers @annerogers.bsky.social · 24d

“It’ll never get old,” Noah Cameron says of the standing ovation he received from 25,000 at Kauffman Stadium last night as he wrapped up his final regular season home start of 2025.

And what a 2025 it has been for the rookie: www.mlb.com/news/royals-...

Cheers! Cool moment for Cameron in likely his final home start of 2025

KANSAS CITY -- Kauffman Stadium roared as Noah Cameron walked off the mound during what was likely his final home start of the 2025 season. And what a season it’s been for the rookie left-hander.

www.mlb.com

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Anne Rogers @annerogers.bsky.social · 25d

Jensen atop #Royals historic offensive spree in win over Blue Jays:

Jensen atop Royals' historic offensive spree vs. Blue Jays

KANSAS CITY -- Impressed by the on-base ability and quality of at-bats in just three short weeks, manager Matt Quatraro wrote Carter Jensen’s name at the top of the Royals’ lineup card for Friday’s series opener against the Blue Jays. “He’s been swinging the bat extremely well, and it gets

www.mlb.com

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Anne Rogers @annerogers.bsky.social · 26d

Leadoff double for Carter Jensen off Max Scherzer. That's fun.

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Anne Rogers @annerogers.bsky.social · 26d

Two more injury updates:
--Ryan Bergert's MRI revealed a mild flexor strain, and the #Royals are expecting him be healthy for spring training in 2026.
--Seth Lugo (low back strain) is feeling better but has not thrown. A return this year is becoming a "long shot," Quatraro said.

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Anne Rogers @annerogers.bsky.social · 26d

Lucas Erceg is dealing with a mild right shoulder impingement, something he could potentially pitch through if the stakes were greater than they are now. But #Royals are being cautious and don't want to push him, as they need him to be healthy in 2026.

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Anne Rogers @annerogers.bsky.social · 27d

Within this story, #Royals veterans yesterday reminded the clubhouse that these remaining games are still meaningful no matter what the standings look like. Last night’s win showed more of the fight they’d like to see.

Anne Rogers @annerogers.bsky.social · 27d

“I love competing with these guys, being on the field with these guys and trying to help this team win.”

The #Royals win was decided long after Ragans departed last night, but it sure was nice to see their ace back on the mound: www.mlb.com/news/cole-ra...

Royals get Ragans back, reward ace's return with comeback win over Mariners

KANSAS CITY -- With the exception of Bobby Witt Jr., there has been no player more valuable for the Royals than starter Cole Ragans since his Kansas City debut on July 15, 2023. The 27-year-old lefty ...

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Anne Rogers @annerogers.bsky.social · 27d

Ryan Bergert is expected to be placed on the IL today or soon. Luinder Avila has a locker in the #Royals clubhouse.

Not the way Bergert wanted his season to end, but he showed that he’s part of KC’s future with the way he pitched post Deadline. www.mlb.com/news/royals-...

Bergert (right forearm tightness) expected to be placed on IL

KANSAS CITY -- With Cole Ragans returning from the 60-day injured list on Wednesday night and limited to around 60 pitches, the Royals’ plan to cover innings was to have Michael Lorenzen pitch out of ...

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Anne Rogers @annerogers.bsky.social · 27d

“I love competing with these guys, being on the field with these guys and trying to help this team win.”

The #Royals win was decided long after Ragans departed last night, but it sure was nice to see their ace back on the mound: www.mlb.com/news/cole-ra...

Royals get Ragans back, reward ace's return with comeback win over Mariners

KANSAS CITY -- With the exception of Bobby Witt Jr., there has been no player more valuable for the Royals than starter Cole Ragans since his Kansas City debut on July 15, 2023. The 27-year-old lefty ...

www.mlb.com

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Anne Rogers @annerogers.bsky.social · 28d

Manager Matt Quatraro said that Ryan Bergert felt forearm tightness in his bullpen today, so he’s expected to go on the IL. That’s why Michael Lorenzen only threw an inning tonight — he’ll make Friday’s start.

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Anne Rogers @annerogers.bsky.social · 28d

#Royals center fielder Kyle Isbel is out of the game in the top of the third inning with Tyler Tolbert taking over in center. Not sure why yet but Isbel is sitting in the dugout with a trainer.

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