Royals Urged to Bench Struggling Infielder, New Report Suggests
The Kansas City Royals are facing a tough stretch as they fight to stay competitive in the American League Central division.
Since the start of the 2025 season, the team has struggled to find consistency in its lineup. While Bobby Witt Jr. continues to shine, the Royals’ offensive issues have led to growing calls for roster changes.
One player drawing significant criticism is Michael Massey, whose lackluster performance has prompted discussions about potential adjustments. Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller recently addressed the situation, advocating for a shake-up in the infield.
“Massey, who has been battling an ankle sprain since late May, landed on the injured list last week after attempting to play through the injury for 10 days,” Miller wrote. “In a way, he’s already been benched. Before the injury, though, the 27-year-old had played in 51 of Kansas City’s first 56 games, ranking sixth on the team in plate appearances despite posting an abysmal .479 OPS, which is the worst among the 191 players with 200 or more plate appearances. It’s frustrating, considering Massey was one of the Royals’ more reliable position players last season, even batting leadoff in five of their six postseason games.”
Miller continued, “Massey also had a strong spring training, batting .408 in 49 at-bats, but has struggled since the season started, often hovering around the Mendoza Line.”
While other players on the Royals roster haven’t performed much better, Miller raised the question of why Cam Devanney hasn’t received a call-up. The 28-year-old is having an outstanding season at Triple-A Omaha, with a .939 OPS and 12 home runs, and he can play multiple infield positions. Although not a top prospect, Devanney could offer the Royals a much-needed boost, especially with Massey out until late June.
Massey’s struggles are evident, and Devanney’s strong performance in the minors has led many to push for his promotion. The Royals’ hesitation to bring Devanney up may stem from their loyalty to Massey, a promising 2019 fourth-round pick who had a solid season last year.
However, with Massey’s strikeout rate increasing and his walk rate sitting at the lowest in the league, promoting Devanney could provide the offensive spark Kansas City desperately needs.
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