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Jac Caglianone Returning to Saturday's Lineup
Kansas City Royals first baseman/outfielder Jac Caglianone (hand) is serving as the designated hitter and is batting third in Saturday's contest on the road against the Pittsburgh Pirates and right-hander Bubba Chandler, per MLB.com. Caglianone suffered a minor hand injury before Friday's series opener at PNC Park, but he is back in action on Saturday and should be returned to fantasy lineups against a right-hander, despite his cold streak of late. The 23-year-old former first-rounder has produced a .277/.328/.483 slash line with an .811 OPS, 23 home runs, 70 RBI, 66 runs scored, and six stolen bases in 484 at-bats in 2026 in his first full big-league season with the Royals. Cags was red-hot in August, slashing .411/.429/.684 with a 1.113 OPS, six home runs, eight doubles, 26 RBI, 17 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 24 games, but he has been banged up in September and has gone just 4-for-27 (.148) with zero homers, four RBI, one walk, and 11 strikeouts. He has never faced Chandler in the majors.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jac Caglianone Out With Hand Injury
Kansas City Royals first baseman/outfielder Jac Caglianone (hand) is out of Friday's starting lineup against the Pittsburgh Pirates due to a hand injury that he suffered on Thursday night, manager Matt Quatraro told Royals broadcaster Joel Goldberg. "It was in the dugout after one of the at-bats. It was my decision to not play him today," Quatraro said. Nick Loftin is making the start in right field for the Royals and will bat eighth in the order against Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes. For now, fantasy managers should consider Caglianone to be day-to-day and check back to see if he is available to play as the series continues in the Steel City on Saturday. The 23-year-old former sixth overall pick from Florida has had a great first full season in the big leagues in 2026, hitting .277/.328/.483 with an .811 OPS, 23 home runs, 70 RBI, 66 runs scored, and six stolen bases across 484 at-bats. However, he has been banged up lately and is limping to the finish line. Cags has gone 4-for-27 (.148) with four RBI, a walk, and 11 strikeouts in 10 games so far in September.
Source: Joel Goldberg
Source: Joel Goldberg
Maikel Garcia Reinstated and Starting on Tuesday
The Kansas City Royals announced on Tuesday that they reinstated infielder/outfielder Maikel Garcia (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list and optioned outfielder Matthew Lugo to Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move. Garcia will immediately return to Tuesday's starting lineup against the hosting Houston Astros and right-hander Hunter Brown, starting at third base and batting cleanup for the Royals. The 26-year-old Venezuelan returns for the final couple of weeks of the regular season as he looks to turn his season around in short order. Garcia has been a major disappointment for fantasy managers this year, playing in only 73 games due to injury and hitting .269/.324/.385 with a .709 OPS, only three home runs, 32 RBI, 34 runs scored, and five stolen bases across 309 plate appearances in his fifth year in the big leagues. It is especially disappointing when considering that Garcia was a first-time All-Star in 2025, when he slashed .286/.351/.449 with 16 homers, 74 RBI, 23 steals, and 81 runs scored in 160 games.
Source: Kansas City Royals
Source: Kansas City Royals
Jac Caglianone Missing his Sixth Straight Game
Kansas City Royals first baseman/outfielder Jac Caglianone (elbow) will sit out for a sixth straight game on Saturday at Fenway Park against the hosting Boston Red Sox, per MLB.com. John Rave will make yet another start in right field for the Royals while batting seventh against Red Sox left-hander Ranger Suarez. Caglianone has been slow to recover from a flexor strain in his left elbow, but the Royals continue to say that he is day-to-day, so the left-handed slugger could have an opportunity to return for the series finale in Boston on Sunday. It is a terrible time for the 23-year-old former first-rounder to miss time with an injury during the fantasy playoffs in most leagues. Caglianone has developed into a must-start asset in fantasy leagues for his power in what has been a strong first full season in the big leagues in 2026. He came into Saturday's action slashing .283/.331/.494 with an .825 OPS, 23 home runs, 70 RBI, 66 runs scored, and six stolen bases across his 474 at-bats. Cags tore the cover off the ball in 24 games in August, hitting .411 (39-for-95) with six home runs, eight doubles, 26 RBI, 17 runs scored, and three steals.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jac Caglianone Remains Out With Elbow Injury
Kansas City Royals first baseman/outfielder Jac Caglianone (elbow) remains out of Friday's lineup at Fenway Park against the hosting Boston Red Sox with a left flexor strain in his elbow, according to MLB.com. It will be Caglianone's fifth straight missed game, and if he cannot return during the weekend series in Boston, the Royals might have to put him on the 10-day injured list. John Rave will make another start in right field for KC and will bat sixth against Red Sox right-hander Sonny Gray. Caglianone got off to a rather slow start in 2026 in his first full season in the big leagues, but he turned it around quickly and became a must-start for fantasy managers for his power from the left side of the plate. The former first-rounder from Florida is missing valuable games during the fantasy postseason, but hopefully he can return to the field at some point this weekend in Beantown. Over 474 at-bats this year, Caglianone is slashing a strong .283/.331/.494 with an .825 OPS, 23 long balls, 70 RBI, 66 runs scored, and six stolen bases. He has even hit .260 (39-for-150) with seven homers and 18 RBI against left-handed pitchers. Check back on Saturday to see if he is active for the Royals.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jac Caglianone Still Out on Wednesday
Kansas City Royals first baseman/outfielder Jac Caglianone (elbow) remains sidelined for Wednesday's contest against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks at Kauffman Stadium, according to MLB.com. John Rave will make the start in right field and will bat seventh for the Royals against Diamondbacks right-hander Zac Gallen, who is making his return from the injured list. Caglianone is dealing with a flexor strain in his left elbow and will miss a fourth straight start for the Royals. If he is not ready to return to the starting nine for Friday's series opener against the Boston Red Sox after another day off on Friday, the Royals may consider moving him to the injured list. That would be really bad timing for fantasy managers who are in the playoffs right now, as the 23-year-old left-handed slugger has turned into a must-start power bat in KC in his first full MLB season in 2026. Caglianone is currently hitting .283/.331/.494 on the season with an .825 OPS, 23 home runs, 70 RBI, 66 runs scored, and six stolen bases across his 474 at-bats.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jac Caglianone Still Out With Elbow Injury
Kansas City Royals first baseman/outfielder Jac Caglianone (elbow) remains sidelined with an elbow injury on Tuesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Kauffman Stadium, according to MLB.com. Matthew Lugo is making the start in right field for the Royals and will bat eighth against Diamondbacks right-hander Corbin Burnes (elbow), who is making his 2026 debut. This will be Caglianone's third straight missed start due to a flexor strain in his left elbow. His next chance to play will be in Wednesday's series finale against Arizona, but with an off day coming on Thursday, the Royals might hold the left-handed slugger out until Friday's series opener at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox. It is bad timing for Caglianone to be banged up with the fantasy playoffs starting in many leagues this week. After a slow start in 2026, the former sixth overall pick from Florida has taken off and is now sporting 23 home runs, 70 RBI, 66 runs scored, six steals, and a .283/.331/.494 slash line in 474 at-bats. When he returns to the Royals' lineup, he will be a must-start for his left-handed power.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jac Caglianone Leaves with Elbow Soreness
Kansas City Royals outfielder Jac Caglianone (elbow) was forced to make an early exit from Saturday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays. According to Joel Goldberg, Caglianone was removed in the third inning due to left elbow soreness. It's unclear when or how Caglianone suffered the injury. He notched an RBI single during his lone plate appearance in the first inning. For now, fantasy managers should consider Caglianone as day-to-day. The Royals should give an update on his status ahead of Sunday's contest. Nick Loftin and John Rave are candidates to see increased playing time if Caglianone misses time.
Source: Joel Goldberg
Source: Joel Goldberg
Maikel Garcia Progressing, Not Ruling Out a Late-Season Return
Kansas City Royals infielder/outfielder Maikel Garcia (hamstring) is progressing well and is running at 80 percent while participating in baseball activity, according to MLB.com. Garcia has not ruled out a late-season return after straining his hamstring while running the bases on Aug. 20. The Royals placed him on the 10-day injured list the following day with a strained left hamstring. The 26-year-old Venezuelan has been a major disappointment for fantasy managers in 2026 after he was a first-time All-Star last year, when he hit .286/.351/.449 with an even .800 OPS, a career-high 16 home runs, 74 RBI, 23 stolen bases, and 81 runs scored across 160 games and 666 plate appearances. Garcia just has not been healthy in his fifth year in the majors, playing in only 73 games while hitting .269/.324/.385 with a .709 OPS, three homers, 32 RBI, 34 runs scored, and five steals. Garcia is particularly attractive because of his speed and multi-positional eligibility in fantasy baseball leagues, but he is quickly running out of time in 2026 to produce, and he is now rostered in only 66% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jac Caglianone Peaking Late in the Season
Kansas City Royals first baseman/outfielder Jac Caglianone recently missed a few games with ankle soreness, but he is back now and just had a monster performance offensively in Thursday night's 13-2 blowout win on the road against the Toronto Blue Jays. Caglianone carried the Royals' offense, going 5-for-6 at the plate with a home run, a double, a career-high six RBI, three runs scored, and a strikeout to raise his season batting average to .282 and his OPS to .832 in his first full year in the majors. The five hits by Cags were also a career high to boost his overall season line to .282/.332/.500 with 23 home runs, 66 RBI, and six stolen bases in 479 plate appearances. The former first-rounder and two-way player from the University of Florida has come into his own in 2026 after a slow start at the plate, and he should now be rostered in all fantasy baseball leagues. Caglianone has been one of the hottest hitters in all of baseball in August, coming into Thursday's big game with a .382/.405/.658 slash line and a 1.063 OPS, five home runs, six doubles, 20 RBI, 12 runs scored, and three steals in 20 games played. Scoop him up immediately if he is available in your league.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Michael Massey Carries Waiver-Wire Appeal Amidst August Hot Streak
Across 366 plate appearances in 2026, Kansas City Royals second baseman/outfielder Michael Massey (head) is hitting .274/.308/.441 with 11 home runs, 43 RBI, 46 runs scored, and two stolen bases. The 28-year-old has largely been solid throughout the year, but he's really picked up the pace of late. Across 69 plate appearances in August, Massey is hitting .323 with three home runs. Massey does not profile as a huge source of power for fantasy managers, but he's struck out in just 16.9% of his plate appearances. The lefty-swinging Massey is also hitting .323 against same-handed pitching so far this year, which could help him earn a bit more playing time against left-handed starters down the stretch. With his balanced profile at the plate, Massey profiles as a valuable depth piece to target on the waiver wire in deeper leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jac Caglianone Returns From Ankle Soreness
Kansas City Royals first baseman/outfielder Jac Caglianone (ankle) is starting in right field and batting third on Wednesday against the hosting Toronto Blue Jays and right-hander Spencer Miles at the Rogers Centre, according to MLB.com. Caglianone will return to action after missing the last two games with minor soreness in his right ankle. Fantasy managers will want to get him back into their starting lineups in all leagues, especially after the young left-handed slugger has been crushing baseballs in August. The 23-year-old returns to an overall .276/.328/.491 slash line with an .819 OPS, 22 home runs, 60 RBI, 59 runs scored, and six stolen bases in his 434 at-bats in his first full season in the big leagues. Cags, a first-rounder in 2024 and former two-way player at the University of Florida, has never faced Miles, but he's gone 29-for-72 (.403) with five home runs, six doubles, 20 RBI, 12 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 19 games during the month. He's one of the hottest hitters in baseball, with 15 of his 22 long balls on the year coming against right-handed pitchers.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jac Caglianone Out Tuesday With Sore Ankle
Kansas City Royals first baseman/outfielder Jac Caglianone (ankle) will sit out of Tuesday's tilt against the Toronto Blue Jays on the road due to soreness in his right ankle, per MLB.com. Caglianone will miss a second straight start with an ankle injury that has been bothering him for the last week. For now, fantasy managers should consider Cags to be day-to-day and check back on him to see if he is playing on Wednesday. If his injury lingers into the weekend, though, the Royals could consider placing him on the 10-day injured list. John Rave is making the start in right field on Tuesday and will hit eighth for the Royals at the Rogers Centre against Blue Jays veteran right-hander Max Scherzer. Caglianone, a former sixth overall pick in 2024 from the University of Florida, has quickly developed into a strong left-handed power bat for fantasy managers in his first full year in the big leagues in 2026. The 23-year-old came into Tuesday's action sporting a .276/.328/.491 slash line with an .819 OPS, 22 home runs, 60 RBI, 59 runs scored, and six steals in 434 at-bats. He is now rostered in 82% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jac Caglianone Scratched on Sunday With Ankle Soreness
The Kansas City Royals announced that first baseman/outfielder Jac Caglianone (ankle) has been scratched from Sunday's starting lineup against the division-rival Detroit Tigers due to ankle soreness. John Rave will make the start in right field for KC and will bat sixth against Tigers right-hander Jacob Waguespack. Caglianone left Wednesday's contest early against the Athletics with a right-ankle injury and was also kept out in the series finale on Thursday. Apparently, the left-handed slugger is not over his ankle injury and will miss another game, but fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for now. The next opportunity he will have to play will be for Monday's series opener in Toronto against the Blue Jays. The 23-year-old former sixth overall pick from the University of Florida in 2024 got off to a slow start in 2026 in his first full year in the majors, but he's rebounded nicely and has become a must-start for his left-handed power in KC. Cags currently holds a .276/.328/.491 slash line, an .819 OPS, 22 homers, 60 RBI, 59 runs scored, and six steals in his 434 at-bats.
Source: Kansas City Royals
Source: Kansas City Royals
Gavin Cross Goes on Injured List at Triple-A Omaha
Kansas City Royals outfield prospect Gavin Cross (undisclosed) was placed on the 7-day injured list on August 14 with an undisclosed injury. It's a shame as the Royals' 26th-ranked prospect was heating up again, riding a five-game hit streak during which time he went 9-for-19 (.474) with three doubles, two home runs, and a stolen base over that span. The hot stretch brought his season-long slash line to .253/.319/.435 at Triple-A Omaha with 13 home runs and 23 steals in 101 games. The power/speed combo makes for an intriguing fantasy asset, and the former ninth-overall draft pick could still make a late-season debut in 2026, but there was little reason to stash him before the injury, and now, without a clear timeline for his return, there is even less reason. The 25-year-old may have a fantasy impact in 2027, but for now, he can be safely left on the waiver wire.
Source: Omaha Storm Chasers
Source: Omaha Storm Chasers
