Royals finalize roster in preparation for Opening Day

The Kansas City Royals welcome the Minnesota Twins to Kauffman Stadium on Thursday afternoon at 3:10, for the first game of the 2023 baseball season.

The last of the roster moves in preparation for the opener came Saturday, with relief pitchers Josh Staumont, Josh Taylor, and Richard Lovelady optioned to AAA Omaha.  The moves with Taylor and Lovelady were anticipated, as both missed last season with injuries.  While unexpected, the move with Staumont is a clear indication that the Royals front office wants move command and fewer walks from a right-hander that has a fastball reaching the upper 90s while occasionally reaching triple digits.

Following Tuesday night’s spring training loss at Texas, the Royals sent right-hander Collin Snider to Omaha, choosing Jose Cuas for the eighth and final spot in the bullpen. Cuas will join Scott Barlow, Aroldis Chapman, Amir Garrett, Dylan Coleman, Ryan Yarbrough, Carlos Hernandez, and Taylor Clarke on the anticipated Opening Day roster out of the bullpen.

Kris Bubic won the battle to become the Royals fifth starter, leaving Zack Greinke to start Thursday’s opener against Minnesota, followed by Jordan Lyles (Saturday vs. Minnesota), Brad Keller (Sunday vs. Minnesota), Brady Singer (Monday vs. Toronto), and Bubic (Tuesday vs. Toronto) to fill the rotation.  

A potential option for the #5 spot in the rotation, left-hander Daniel Lynch, will miss most of April on the injured list, after suffering a left shoulder strain last week.  

The Royals wrapped up preseason action with a record of 19-13-1.   Thursday’s opener against the Twins can be heard on KTTN AM 1600 and FM 98.3, with pregame at 2:30 for the 3:10 first pitch.

Parking lots open at 9 AM for the game, with the stadium gates opening at 12 PM.  Parking passes must be purchased in advance at Royals.com.  A Bobby Witt Jr. bobblehead will be presented to all in attendance, with the Royals wearing full (tops and bottoms) powder blue uniforms.  

A pre-game concert with Brothers Osborne will take place from 1 to 2 o’clock, with a pre-game flyover by aircraft from Whiteman Air Force Base.