Royals’ Rusty Kuntz will take on a different role this season due to COVID-19 concerns
Longtime Royals coach Rusty Kuntz will not coach first base for the club this season due to concerns surrounding the COVID-19 coronavirus.
Kuntz, 65, had returned to the major-league staff this season after spending the past two years as a special assistant to the general manager/quality control. Previously, he’d been first base coach on the major-league staff from 2008-10 and 2012-17.
He’d been named to manager Mike Matheny’s staff this offseason, and he was in that role through the club’s initial spring training in Arizona.
The coronavirus disproportionately affects individuals older than 60, however, as well as those with certain pre-existing health conditions and compromised immune systems.
Royals general manager Dayton Moore said Kuntz reached the decision after consultation with head athletic trainer Nick Kenney and Moore. Damon Hollins will step into Kuntz’s role as first base coach on the major-league coaching staff.
Hollins had been slated to serve as the minor-league coordinator of the outfield, base-running and bunting this season, his 11th year with the organization. Most recently, he’d had a three-year stint as a hitting coach at Rookie League affiliate Idaho Falls.
“Rusty is going to be a huge part of our organization,” Moore said.
Kuntz will attend spring training 2.0 workouts and watch from a suite at Kauffman Stadium. He’s expected to do the same when major-league pool players begin workouts at an alternate training site once the MLB season starts.
The travel involved during the major-league season, going into and out of various cities, hotels and numerous other potentially uncontrolled environments, factored into the decision.
“Ultimately, we felt it was important to allow Rusty and others an ability to contribute in another role in 2020,” Moore said. “We’re happy Rusty decided to take a role similar to the one he had in the past. We’re looking forward to Damon Hollins’ contributions to our major-league staff.”
This story was originally published July 3, 2020 at 10:52 AM with the headline "Royals’ Rusty Kuntz will take on a different role this season due to COVID-19 concerns."
