Mark these key Royals dates for 2020
KANSAS CITY -- Spring Training is just around the corner, so let’s take a quick peek at what lies ahead for the Royals in 2020.
When do pitchers and catchers report?
Pitchers and catchers are due to report on Feb. 11, though normally that means they simply have to be in Surprise, Ariz., by then. They won’t start practicing until Feb. 12.
When is the first full-squad workout?
The report date for position players is Feb. 17, but the full squad likely won’t start practicing until a day later.
What about the first Spring Training game?
The Royals will open the Spring Training slate on Friday, Feb. 21, at Surprise Stadium against their facility roommates, the Rangers, at 2:05 p.m. CT.
When do the Royals break camp?
The Royals will break camp on Saturday, March 21, after a 2:05 p.m. CT game against the Rangers. After an off-day, Kansas City will take on Milwaukee for two exhibition games at Miller Park from March 23-24.
When is Opening Day?
The Royals will open the 2020 season against the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on Thursday, March 26. Kansas City's home opener will be on the following Thursday, on April 2, against the Mariners at Kauffman Stadium.
Who will be the Royals' non-roster invites to Spring Training?
Royals general manager Dayton Moore and his staff devoted several meetings over the winter relating to which prospects will get their first taste of camp. Pitchers Brady Singer, Jackson Kowar, Daniel Lynch, Daniel Tillo and Kris Bubic will be among those who get their first taste of big league Spring Training. Another prospect who received an invite is outfielder Khalil Lee.
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What other new faces might be in camp?
Moore and his staff didn’t make any free-agent transactions during the Winter Meetings, though they made a few moves prior. Kansas City signed right-hander Trevor Rosenthal to a Minor League deal on Dec. 7, and they selected right-hander Stephen Woods Jr. in the Rule 5 Draft. But expect Moore to be busy over the next few weeks and into Spring Training with some value-based signings to help shore up the bullpen while also adding another potential starter or two. Moore found his value-based third baseman in Maikel Franco but could still be on the lookout for a veteran outfielder.
Are there injury updates?
The Royals’ medical staff continues to be optimistic that catcher Salvador Perez -- who missed the 2018 season because of Tommy John surgery -- should be cleared by Spring Training. Perez has been throwing for months, and he recently started getting work in the batting cages, though the Royals likely will go a bit cautiously with Perez in the early stages of camp. Shortstop Adalberto Mondesi has spent most of his offseason in Kansas City rehabbing after undergoing left shoulder surgery. Mondesi is still on course to be ready by Opening Day, but the Royals likely will go slow with him in camp, as well.