Royals place young OF on injured list

The Royals introduced that outfielder MJ Melendez has been positioned on the 10-day injured checklist, retroactive to July 15, attributable to a left ankle sprain. No corresponding transfer was instantly introduced because the membership doesn’t play once more till Friday because of the All-Star break.

Melendez, 25, departed the membership’s most up-to-date recreation on Sunday after apparently injuring himself working out a floor ball. Bally Sports activities Kansas Metropolis offered video of the play on X. Because of the off days within the break, it’s doable he may return after solely lacking a handful of video games, however the group will seemingly present extra details about his anticipated absence within the days to return.

It’s unlucky timing for Melendez personally, as he was heating up a bit after an terrible first half. He hit .181/.249/.353 by the top of June for a wRC+ of 64, indicating he was 36 p.c worse than the league-average hitter. He then put up a torrid line of .273/.314/.606 in 35 July plate appearances, however no matter momentum he was carrying into the break will now be placed on ice.

It’s been a irritating season in what has already been a disappointing massive league profession for Melendez. He was thought-about one of many prime 100 prospects within the sport as he climbed towards the majors with Baseball America placing him within the No. 42 general spot heading into 2022. However he hit simply .227/.314/.396 over 2022 and 2023 for a wRC+ of 95.

The Royals steadily moved him from the catcher place to the outfield in that point. He was blocked by Salvador Perez anyway, however the Royals seemingly hoped {that a} less-demanding defensive place may maybe assist him develop offensively, however that hasn’t actually materialized. Even along with his current scorching streak, he’s nonetheless hitting simply .192/.257/.385 on the 12 months general for a 75 wRC+ and his career-long efficiency results in a line of .219/.303/.393 and a 92 wRC+.

Regardless of the struggles of Melendez, it’s been season for the membership general. The Royals went 56-106 final 12 months, however have nearly matched that win whole already. They’re presently 52-45 and simply two video games out of a playoff spot. That’s been largely regardless of their horrendous manufacturing on the grass, as Melendez and his fellow outfielders have hit .216/.276/.361 on the 12 months for a 76 wRC+, lifeless final within the majors.

Including to the outfield is an apparent goal space for the membership previous to the July 30 deadline and normal supervisor J.J. Picollo has admitted that it’s one thing they are going to be exploring. For now, the group consists of Hunter Renfroe, Kyle Isbel and Dairon Blanco, with infielders Adam Frazier and Garrett Hampson able to shifting on the market as nicely. With Melendez hitting the IL, the membership may recall somebody like Nelson Velázquez, Drew Waters or Nick Pratto to take his spot.

It’s distinctly doable that the group will get a big shakeup through trades within the subsequent few weeks and look utterly totally different by August. If Melendez returns from the IL and finds himself squeezed from enjoying time, he does nonetheless have choices and could possibly be despatched to the minors if the membership so chooses.