Isbel is a useful player to have on a roster, but he's proving he can't be counted on to help the offense. You want him tracking down balls in center field, but not in starts against left-handed pitchers, and possibily in more of a full-time bench role someday soon.

Eric Samulski dives into the Royals signing starting pitcher Seth Lugo to a two-year, $46 million contract extension, sharing how the move likely locks in Kansas City's starting rotation through the 2026 season.

Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase — a rumored MLB trade deadline target — has been placed on paid leave in connection with a sports-gambling investigation, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported Monday. Clase is reportedly on leave through Aug. 31, per The Athletic's Zack Meisel.

Major League Baseball's trade deadline is scheduled for next Thursday, which means teams have less than a week to get their midsummer shopping done. The moves have already started, as the Mariners recently acquired Josh Naylor from the Diamondbacks while the Yankees acquired Ryan McMahon in a trade with the Rockies.

The Royals had to make a difficult decision due to their injury-riddled starting rotation. The club has three starters — Cole Ragans, Kris Bubic and Michael Lorenzen — currently on the injured list and needed a fresh arm to avoid taxing the bullpen. Hill was the odd man out.

After dropping five straight games, the Braves stopped the bleeding on Monday night with a 10-run outburst in their series opener versus the Kansas City Royals.

The Kansas City Royals are fighting to stay alive in the playoff mix after making it to October last season and are now reportedly willing to trade assets.

Suddenly, the Kansas City Royals need more pitching. Kris Bubic's season-ending rotator cuff strain is a brutal blow at a time when the Royals are trying to