KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals today announced several roster moves to finalize their 26-man Opening Day roster. Their 1st regular season game is on Friday, March 27 in Atlanta vs. the Braves.
Right-handed pitcher Eli Morgan was selected to the 40-man roster and optioned to Triple-A Omaha. In a corresponding move, outfielder Drew Waters was designated for assignment.
Three players were placed on the Injured List, retroactive to March 22, including pitchers James McArthur (right elbow inflammation) and Stephen Kolek (left oblique strain) and infielder Michael Massey (left calf strain). Right hander Alec Marsh was placed on the 60-day Injured List on Feb. 12.
Kansas City’s 26-man roster includes 14 players who made the Royals Opening Day roster last season, including pitchers Michael Wacha, Seth Lugo, Carlos Estévez, John Schreiber, Kris Bubic, Cole Ragans, Daniel Lynch IV and Lucas Erceg, catcher Salvador Perez, infielders Jonathan India, Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino and Maikel Garica and outfielder Kyle Isbel.
Five players will make their Royals debut with their 1st appearance, including pitchers Alex Lange and Nick Mears and outfielders Starling Marte, Lane Thomas and Isaac Collins.
Five players have made the Opening Day roster for the first time in their career, including Mears, Tyler Tolbert, Noah Cameron, Jac Caglianone and Carter Jensen.
Matt Strahm, who spent the first two seasons of his career with the Royals from 2016-17 and made Kansas City’s Opening Day roster in 2017, will become the 43rd player in franchise history to appear with the team, leave the organization and return.
Bailey Falter made his fifth straight Opening Day roster but first with Kansas City. Nick Loftin is on the Royals Opening Day roster for the second time in his career and first since 2024.
Ragans will become the sixth pitcher in Royals history to start on Opening Day in at least three consecutive seasons, following Gil Meche (2007-09), Jeff Suppan (2000-02), Kevin Appier (1992-97), Bud Black (1984-86) and Dennis Leonard (1978-80). Ragans’ run of three straight Opening Day starts is tied for the 3rd-longest active streak by a pitcher with the same team, joining Tarik Skubal (Detroit), Nathan Eovaldi (Texas) and Kyle Freeland (Colorado). They trail only Zac Gallen (4 straight with Arizona) and Logan Webb (5 straight with San Francisco).
With a start behind the plate on Friday night, Perez would be making his 12th career Opening Day start at catcher, extending his franchise record for the position. His 12 career Opening Day starts (at any position) will match Amos Otis for the 5th most in franchise history behind George Brett (18), Frank White (15), Alex Gordon (13) and Hal McRae (13).