ROYALS GO FROM CHAMP TO CELLAR IN THREE YEARS
MO.» Drop into KANSAS CITY, just about any bank or supermarket or sports bar in the Kansas City metro area these days and there’s a good chance you’ll see one of several photographs from just a few years ago hanging on a wall.
It might be Yordano Ventura unleashing a fastball. Or Eric Hosmer sliding into home at Citi Field in New York. Or Wade Davis with his arms thrust high into the air, having just closed out Game 5 of the World Series and making the Kansas City Royals the world champions.
The Royals, who were indeed baseball royalty in 2015, are now neck and neck with the Orioles for the worst record in baseball. They’ve traded off their star closer, their best players are struggling and the prospects that might one day raise them from the abyss are years away from joining the club.
“The record is what it is. The hitting is what it is. The pitching is what it is,” said Royals manager Ned Yost, who presided over the rebuild that led to back-to-back World Series appearances. “I have to continue to lead. We have to make sure this year has not been a waste.”
Seattle catcher put on 10-day DL.
SEATTLE» The Mariners placed starting catcher Mike Zunino on the 10-day disabled list Thursday due to a bruised left ankle. Manager Scott Servais said Zunino rolled his ankle running the bases late in Seattle’s 7-4 loss Wednesday to the Los Angeles Angels.
Meanwhile, pitcher Wade LeBlanc is guaranteed $2.75 million under a new contract with the Seattle Mariners covering 2019, a deal with three options that would be worth $31.3 million over four years if he pitches 180 innings or more each season.
Diamondbacks activate Souza.
PHOENIX» The Arizona Diamondbacks have activated outfielder Steven Souza Jr. from the 10-day disabled list and placed outfielder Jarrod Dyson on the DL with a strained right groin.
Souza, acquired from Tampa Bay in a three-team trade in February, opened the season on the DL with a strained right pectoral. He returned on May 3 but reinjured the pec and was put back on the DL on May 22.
Indians bring back Cabrera.
CLEVELAND» Melky Cabrera has re-signed with the Cleveland Indians, who need outfield depth and protection while Lonnie Chisenhall and Bradley Zimmer are injured. Cabrera signed a minor-league deal Thursday and was assigned to Triple-A Columbus. He was with the club earlier this season before being designated for assignment last month.