Royals pitcher Brad Keller will remain sidelined to start the major-league season
Royals right-hander Brad Keller will not be active when the club opens the regular season Friday at the Cleveland Indians.
Keller, who started Kansas City’s season opener last year, returned to camp Friday after having been in isolation following a positive test for COVID-19.
Keller was in camp for the start of spring training 2.0 in Kansas City, but he had to stay away from the team after he tested positive for the coronavirus. He went on the injured list July 14.
When he rejoined the team last week, he was technically on a rehab assignment. He still hasn’t come off the IL.
“He just wasn’t able to progress like we were hoping for, and the COVID thing kind of put him back to where we couldn’t get him in a place where we felt comfortable where he was,” Royals manager Mike Matheny said. “He’s making progressions, and there’s a plan in place.”
Matheny said the Royals are still “patching” together what their starting rotation will look like. Starting pitcher Jakob Junis will begin the season on the injured list because of his own positive COVID-19 test.
Mejia making a mark
Erick Mejia has impressed the Royals’ coaching staff with his ability to play all over the diamond. He’s even seen some duty at catcher during spring training 2.0.
Mejia has also been arguably the hottest hitter in Royals camp. He came through with a two-run single in the Royals’ three-run third inning during Tuesday’s exhibition game against the Houston Astros. The Royals fell 15-6 at Kauffman Stadium as the Astros pounded Royals pitching for 17 hits. Royals pitchers also allowed five home runs, seven walks and hit three batters.
Top prospect Bobby Witt Jr. and Brett Phillips drew back-to-back walks to start the inning. After an Oscar Hernandez bunt moved the runners to second and third, Mejia ripped a two-run single into right field. Mejia later scored on an RBI single by recently acquired outfielder Franchy Cordero.
Witt reached base four times (two walks) and stole a base. He singled and scored the Royals’ fourth run on a Meibrys Viloria double down the first-base line in the eighth inning. He also had an RBI double in the ninth.
Right-hander Glenn Sparkman allowed three runs (two earned) on two hits and three walks in 1 2/3 innings.
Highly regarded pitching prospect Jackson Kowar had a tough outing. He allowed five runs on five hits (two home runs) and surrendered two walks in two innings.
Hernandez in the mix
In light of the Royals’ shortage of catching options because of COVID-19 infections to Cam Gallagher and Nick Dini, and Viloria having just recently returned to camp after being away from the club with an undisclosed injury, catcher Oscar Hernandez has put himself firmly in the discussion for a spot on the 40-man roster, or even the Opening Day roster.
Hernandez, who the Royals signed to a minor-league deal on July 9, caught 47 games in the majors from 2015-16 with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
“We’re definitely giving him a really strong look,” Matheny said. “We’re only a couple days from Opening Day, and we’re still trying to figure out some of these spots. The catching spot is certainly one of those that we’re going to have to keep our eye on.”
All-Star catcher Salvador Perez has looked good in his return from a COVID-19 infection. He’ll handle the bulk of the team’s catching duties. Gallagher was to be his likely backup. Viloria, 23, is already on the 40-man roster and played 42 games in the majors last season after being called up in July. He also appeared in 10 games the previous year as a September call-up.
Viloria is progressing quickly, according to Matheny. But Viloria also has just one minor-league option year remaining. That could provide the Royals incentive to keep Viloria off the roster unless he’s absolutely needed this year and preserve that option for next year.
Here to stay
The Royals announced that pitcher Stephen Woods Jr., a Rule 5 pick this winter from the Tampa Bay Rays, has been retained in exchange for a player to be named or cash considerations. He cleared waivers and has been assigned outright off the 40-man roster.
Woods will stay in the Royals’ system, but the deal with the Rays means the Royals will not have to keep him on their roster all season, as would be the case with a Rule 5 pick.
This story was originally published July 21, 2020 at 4:53 PM with the headline "Royals pitcher Brad Keller will remain sidelined to start the major-league season."
