Royals release 30-man Opening Day roster missing four potential starters
With five more players on it than a year ago, the Kansas City Royals released their Opening Day roster Thursday in advance of their season opener Friday.
The 30-man roster was minus several high-profile players — starting pitchers Brad Keller and Jakob Junis, projected starting right fielder Hunter Dozier and projected starting first baseman (at least in a platoon role) Ryan O’Hearn — who are sidelined after testing positive for COVID-19.
Whit Merrifield, who began his move from second base to the outfield a year ago, is listed among the outfielders on the 2020 roster. He is expected to start in center field for much of the shortened season.
The roster also includes outfielder Franchy Cordero and pitcher Ronald Bolaños, who were obtained last week from San Diego in a trade for pitcher Tim Hill.
The Royals open the 2020 season at 6 p.m. Friday in Cleveland. Pregame coverage begins at 5:30 on FOX Sports Kansas City.
The Royals made a number of roster moves to settle on their list of 30:
• Placed pitchers Chance Adams and Randy Rosario on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to July 20).
· Placed pitcher Jesse Hahn on the bereavement/family medical emergency list.
· Reinstated catcher Meibrys Viloria from the IL and recalled him.
· Recalled Cordero and pitchers Bolaños, Foster Griffin, Gabe Speier and Kyle Zimmer.
· Selected pitchers Greg Holland and Tyler Zuber, catcher Óscar Hernández and outfielder Erick Mejia.
