Royals Suddenly Have A Michael Massey Problem And A Curious Solution

The Kansas City Royals juggle their lineup as Michael Massey heads to the injured list, paving the way for Josh Rojas and Anthony Gose to step up.

The Kansas City Royals shuffled their roster ahead of Thursday’s series finale against the Toronto Blue Jays, and the biggest move came with infielder Michael Massey going on the seven-day concussion injured list.

Massey left Tuesday’s game early after banging his head on the ground while making a standout play at second base. The Royals later said he had taken a head impact and was doing well after the play.

It’s a tough break for Kansas City, because Massey has been giving them quality production both at the plate and in the field. He’s been one of the more productive pieces on the roster and looks to be building toward a bigger role with the club next season.

To fill his spot, the Royals brought back infielder Josh Rojas from Triple-A Omaha. Rojas is hitting .224/.253/.303 in 76 at-bats this season, and the 32-year-old gives Kansas City a flexible option around the infield while Massey recovers.

Kansas City also selected the contract of left-handed pitcher Anthony Gose, a 36-year-old outfielder-turned-pitcher who hasn’t pitched in the majors since his stint with the Cleveland Guardians in 2024. Gose is now set to make his Royals debut on a big league mound.

Another piece of the shuffle saw right-handed pitcher Beck Way return from his rehab assignment. Way had been on the 15-day injured list because of lower back spasms and tightness. To make room, the Royals optioned right-hander Mason Black to Triple-A Omaha.

In Other News...

Jac Caglianone Is Crashing A Royals Race Few Saw Coming

Bobby Witt Jr. has spent much of the 2026 season drawing the familiar MVP buzz, even in a year that some around the league might call a down one by his standards. For the Royals, though, the more surprising individual push has come from Jac Caglianone, whose power production has moved him into the conversation for an American League outfield Silver Slugger spot. In a race shaped by offensive output and slugging, Kansas City suddenly has more than one player forcing voters to pay attention.

Caglianones case is built on the kind of hard contact and home-run total that stands out when compared with the other top AL outfielders. The award is voted on by league managers and coaches, with offense carrying the day, and that gives the Royals first baseman-turned-outfielder a real opening if his numbers keep holding. For a club already tracking Witt as its star, the possibility of another bat rising into award territory adds another layer to a season that has been anything but ordinary. [Read more 🡒]

Royals Infield Could Put Jose Alguacil In The Spotlight Again

Jose Alguacil has spent enough time around Kansas Citys infield to know how much attention elite defense can bring, and this group is drawing plenty of it again. The Royals have four infielders ranked among the top three in the American Leagues Society For American Baseball Research Defensive Index, a strong sign that Vinnie Pasquantino, Michael Massey, Bobby Witt Jr. and Nick Loftin are in the mix for Gold Glove recognition.

Witt has already built a reputation as one of the sports best defenders, with two Gold Gloves and a 2025 Platinum Glove to his name, while Maikel Garcia added a Gold Glove last season to the clubs growing case as a defense-first infield. For Alguacil, the larger question now is how many awards this unit can actually turn into when the seasons hardware is handed out. [Read more 🡒]

Royals Suddenly Have An Infield Question Fans Did Not Expect

Michael Masseys sudden move to the 7-day Injured List has added an unexpected wrinkle to the Royals infield mix, and it comes at a time when the club was trying to keep some continuity in the middle of the diamond. Massey was sidelined by a concussion after hitting his head on the turf, a reminder of how quickly a routine night can turn into a roster shuffle. In response, Kansas City recalled infielder Josh Rojas to help cover the position and keep the group moving while Massey recovers.

The reshuffling did not stop there, either. The Royals also brought left-hander Anthony Gose into the bullpen and optioned Mason Black to Omaha, while reliever Beck Way returned from a rehab assignment after dealing with a lower back issue. It is the kind of layered roster movement that can be easy to overlook on a busy day, but for Kansas City it leaves one central question hanging over the infield: how long the club will have to adjust before Massey is ready to return. [Read more 🡒]