Kansas City Royals news: All-Star Ellie Rodriguez dies

Anne Rogers writes that Maikel Garcia hopes to return to the lineup today.

“It was like a cramp after I threw the ball and swung the bat,” Garcia said of what he felt on Wednesday. “I was playing careful that day. After my third at-bat, I didn’t want to have another at-bat playing careful. Got it checked out and did my treatment, and feel better. For this game, I’ll be able to come off the bench and play tomorrow hopefully.”

She also writes about how Matt Strahm’s daughter designed his glove.

Jaylon Thompson writes about the good, bad, and ugly from the first 25 games.

Prior to Wednesday’s game, the Royals ranked last with runners in scoring position. They entered with a paltry .197 batting average in such situations.

The biggest indictment came Monday against the Orioles. The Royals were 5-for-21 with RISP and left 16 men on base. In the third inning, a bases-loaded opportunity — with no outs — didn’t produce a run.

To make matters worse, the Royals have lost five games trailing by just one run.

“We have to figure out how to win games,” Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia said.

David Lesky is ready to talk about changes he’d make to the team.

I loved the acquisition in the offseason, but Collins has been pretty terrible in every facet of the game. His defense has taken a step back and his bat is a mess. He did have two hits on Monday night, but he still has a 48 wRC+ and a 35.8 percent strikeout rate. I’m not saying he can’t be a contributor at some point, but right now, he’s actively hurting this team. To me, you have two options to call up. The first is the guy we saw last year and he wasn’t good enough – John Rave. The second is the local guy they acquired – Kameron Misner. Either of them would be great choices. Rave has more walks than strikeouts and has a .240 ISO. Misner has nearly as many walks as strikeouts and he has a .306 ISO. I’d probably lean Misner, but either works for me.

Mike Gillespie at Royals Keep thinks Michael Massey has an opportunity.

Former Royals All-Star catcher Ellie Rodriguez has died at the age of 79.

The Padres and Diamondbacks are playing in Mexico City this weekend.

The Cubs acquire Nicky Lopez and add him to the active roster.

Mike Trout sets a club record for most games played at any position with 1,367 in centerfield.

Who should panic more – the Phillies or the Mets?

Jeff Hoffman loses the closer’s role in Toronto.

Walt Weiss has the Braves off to a great start.

After a tough start to the season, Rafael Devers is avoiding the media.

Garrett Crochet is just the start of Boston’s rotation problems.

The Phillies release pitcher Taijuan Walker in the last year of his $72 million contract.

Dave Henderson and Mark Ellis are among four to be inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame.

Carlos Alcaraz will miss the French Open with a wrist injury.

Mike Vrabel says he takes accountability for the distraction, but doesn’t address specifics on recent photos showing him with reporter Diana Russini.

A man is arrested for swapping out thousands of dollars worth of Lego for dried pasta.

The Michael Jackson biopic sounds like a hagiography.

Spotify reveals its most-played songs from the last 20 years.

Your song of the day is Dire Straits with So Far Away.