Injuries & Moves: Melendez (ankle) lands on IL; Harvey reports to KC
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July 20: RHP Jordan Lyles released after time on restricted list
The Royals officially released Lyles on Sunday after he went unclaimed on unconditional release waivers. Lyles, 33, has been on the restricted list since April 20 for what the Royals described as a personal matter. The club had little to no contact with him while he dealt with his situation and did not offer further details as to what he was dealing with in deference to Lyles’ privacy.
The veteran reported to the Royals’ complex in Arizona in June to start pitching again, but given his months-long absence, the Royals did not think he was ready to jump back into the Major Leagues and be a part of their 13-man pitching staff. More >>
July 19: OF MJ Melendez (left ankle sprain) placed on 10-day injured list; OF Drew Waters recalled from Triple-A Omaha
After Melendez sprained his ankle running out an RBI forceout last Sunday against Boston, the Royals placed the outfielder on the 10-day IL retroactive to Monday and called up Waters for Friday's series opener against the White Sox at Kauffman Stadium. Melendez is looking at a two-week recovery timeline, so he could be back by the end of July. He's already started to hit again but is limited to running only in pool workouts and not outside yet.
July 19: RHP Hunter Harvey reports to Kansas City
The Royals acquired Harvey from the Nationals last Saturday, a day before the All-Star break began. For that reason, Harvey didn't go to Boston to finish out the final game of the first half with his new team, instead getting his family and belongings together to move to Kansas City. He's settled in now and will be active for Friday's game against the White Sox.
"The first couple of days were a roller coaster," Harvey said. "But now it's starting to set in a bit. I've always told my dad [two-time All-Star Bryan Harvey] and some of my friends that Kansas City was one of the places I would like to play one day, so it actually worked out really good."
Harvey will pitch high leverage innings for the Royals, and while he won't take over closer James McArthur's role, there could be times that Harvey takes the mound in the ninth inning.
“If we win games like we hope we do, we can’t use the same guy every night," manager Matt Quatraro said. "Harvey has already said, ‘I’ll do whatever needs to be done.’ We know he can get the best in the league out. High leverage is what he’s used to. It doesn’t really matter what inning we use him in if it helps us shorten the game -- that’s what he’s all about.”
10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
OF MJ Melendez (left ankle sprain)
Expected return: End of July/early August
Melendez suffered an ankle injury while running out an RBI forceout on July 14 in Boston and was placed on the IL a day later during the All-Star break. He's recovering in Kansas City and has already started hitting in the cages. His timeline to return could be 10 days to two weeks, putting him in line to rejoin the team by the end of July or early August if a rehab assignment is needed. (Last updated: July 19)
60-DAY INJURED LIST
RHP Dan Altavilla (right lat strain)
Expected return: August
Altavilla threw an elevated fastball to A's leadoff hitter Max Schuemann on June 19 and immediately grimaced in pain while grabbing his side. Altavilla exited a few moments later with a trainer, was placed on the 15-day IL on June 20 and was transferred to the 60-day IL on July 5 to make room on the 40-man roster for Walter Pennington.
After Altavilla was placed on the IL with a right oblique strain, Quatraro described the injury as a lat strain. Altavilla reported to Arizona on June 23 to begin his recovery and won't begin throwing until later in July. (Last updated: July 5)
LHP Josh Taylor (left arm/biceps nerve injury)
Expected return: Second half of the season
Taylor felt soreness when he was warming up for his Cactus League outing on March 17, and was shut down afterward with left biceps soreness. The lefty reliever was diagnosed with a musculocutaneous nerve injury, and his timeline to return is unknown, as he's still shut down from throwing.
Taylor was transferred to the 60-day IL on April 7 to make room for Colin Selby on the 40-man roster. (Last updated: June 27)
RHP Kyle Wright (right shoulder surgery)
Expected return: 2025
The Royals traded for Wright in November in exchange for Jackson Kowar knowing Wright was coming off shoulder surgery after the 2023 season. They made the move thinking ahead a year, foreseeing how Wright, who will be 29 in '25, could help after he led the Majors with 21 wins and posted a 3.19 ERA in '22.
Pitchers who have this procedure typically take a year to return, and Wright is rehabbing in Kansas City with the goal of having a normal, non-rehabbing offseason later this year. He hasn't had any setbacks so far this summer and remains on track to have that healthy offseason. (Last updated: June 27)