How Royals are using new trade deadline pieces & who made a strong 1st impression
It may take a minute to memorize the correct spelling of new Kansas City Royals outfielder Mike Yastrzemski’s last name.
It won’t take long to notice his impact.
On Friday, Yastrzemski hit a two-run homer against the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, as the Royals secured a 9-3 victory.
“It was the first time I was able to relax today just getting back on the field,” Yastrzemski told reporters postgame, via FanDuel Sports Network Kansas City. “It was nice to put a couple of good swings on the ball and have a little bit of an impact here.”
Yastrzemski hammered an 84.8 mph splitter from Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman over the right-field wall. In the process, he became the sixth Royal in franchise history to homer in his first plate appearance with the club.
The Royals needed it — and need more of it.
“It’s a special clubhouse in there,” Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. told FanDuel Sports Kansas City postgame. “What Yaz did in showing up and hitting a homer ... shoutout to him coming off the plane and doing that to put together a professional at-bat. All the guys in there are rooting for each other, and we are trying to win games.”
Yastrzemski helped the Royals seize an early lead against the Blue Jays. The Royals never relinquished it as Witt extended the lead in the third inning.
“For us to get right back in the game after the homer from Vladdy, that was really important,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro told MLB.com’s Anne Rogers postgame.
Witt belted a three-run homer off Gausman. He did damage on a splitter that remained over the heart of the plate. Witt is up to 16 home runs and 63 RBIs this season.
Later, Royals captain Salvador Perez continued his red-hot stretch with a solo home run in the ninth inning. And Adam Frazier added quality insurance with a two-run shot.
The Royals hit four home runs against the Blue Jays on Friday night.
“When you drive some balls like that, it really boosts morale because you are scoring on one swing instead of needing three or four,” Quatraro said. “I was happy we tacked on that one in the ninth there, a couple walks and a couple singles, a good at-bat from Maikey (Maikel Garcia) to drive them in.”
Meanwhile, Toronto had no answers for Royals starter Michael Wacha. The veteran right-hander surrendered a first-inning homer to Toronto star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. but immediately settled into his outing.
Wacha rebounded with a seven-pitch frame in the second inning. He later retired 19 of his next 20 batters before Blue Jays second baseman Ernie Clement reached on an error.
Since July 11, Wacha has allowed four earned runs in his last 24 ⅓ innings. He picked up his 11th quality start of the year.
“We knew Wacha was going to go out there and be Wacha,” Witt said. “And so, we got to put some runs on the board and enjoy it.”
The Royals (55-55) returned to .500 this season. Wacha set the tone with an efficient start and fellow starters Noah Cameron and Seth Lugo will look to continue the momentum against the Blue Jays (64-47) this weekend.
Royals re-shuffle roster
The Royals arrived in Toronto with a new-look roster. The club needed to make room for new acquisitions: Ryan Bergert, Stephen Kolek, Bailey Falter and Yastrzemski.
Yastrzemski arrived in time for Friday’s game. However, the Royals expect Bergert and Falter to report on Saturday and be available to start against the Boston Red Sox next week.
The Royals have sent Kolek to Triple-A Omaha. He is stretched out and will continue to draw starts with the Omaha Storm Chasers.
In corresponding moves, the Royals reinstated Nick Loftin from the seven-day concussion list and transferred left-handed pitcher Kris Bubic to the 60-day injured list. Additionally, MJ Melendez was optioned to Triple-A Omaha.
The Royals also made a decision on a few minor league players. Joey Wiemer was designated for assignment while Cavan Biggio was granted his unconditional release and Rich Hill elected free agency.
What’s next: The Royals continue their weekend series against the Blue Jays. On Saturday, left-hander Noah Cameron (5-4, 2.44 ERA) draws the start opposite Max Scherzer (1-1, 4.89 ERA) at the Rogers Centre.
This story was originally published August 1, 2025 at 9:02 PM with the headline "How Royals are using new trade deadline pieces & who made a strong 1st impression."
