The Kansas City Royals have officially sidelined their prominent second baseman, Michael Massey, placing him on the 7-day concussion injured list. This decision comes after Massey experienced concussion symptoms following an on-field incident earlier in the week, prompting a series of roster adjustments by the team to fill the temporary void left by his absence.
Massey's placement on the injured list was made retroactive to Wednesday, stemming from an event during Tuesday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays. While executing a throw, the 28-year-old infielder reportedly struck his head on the playing surface, leading to the subsequent development of concussion symptoms. Massey has been a key offensive contributor for the Royals this season, boasting a .276 batting average, 11 home runs, and 44 RBIs across 110 games. His career statistics, spanning 468 regular-season games since 2022, include a .250 batting average, 47 home runs, and 181 RBIs.
In response to Massey's injury, the Royals activated infielder Josh Rojas from Triple-A Omaha. Rojas, 32, has played in 29 games for the Royals this season, recording a .224 batting average, one home run, and nine RBIs. His extensive eight-year career includes stints with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Seattle Mariners, and Chicago White Sox, amassing a .240 batting average, 37 homers, 64 stolen bases, and 209 RBIs in 667 games. Additionally, the team brought up left-handed pitcher Anthony Gose and optioned right-handed pitcher Mason Black to Omaha.
Gose, 36, initially drafted as an outfielder by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2008, transitioned to pitching in 2017. He returned to major league action in 2021 with Cleveland and, after recovering from Tommy John surgery, made three appearances with the Guardians in 2024. As a reliever, Gose holds a 3-0 record with a 4.78 ERA over 32 innings in 31 outings, tallying 41 strikeouts and 17 walks. Prior to joining the Royals in April, he pitched in the Mexican League and later with Triple-A Omaha, where he posted a 2-3 record with one save and a 4.89 ERA in 39 relief appearances.
The roster changes further included Mason Black, a 26-year-old right-handed reliever. Black, a 2021 third-round draft pick by the San Francisco Giants, has made 17 relief appearances for the Royals this season, maintaining a 4.31 ERA with 19 strikeouts and 20 walks across 31 1/3 innings. Over portions of three seasons with the Giants and Royals, he holds a combined 1-5 record with a 5.53 ERA in 27 games, including eight starts, accumulating 55 strikeouts and 35 walks over 71 2/3 innings.
The temporary loss of Michael Massey due to a concussion will undoubtedly test the Kansas City Royals' depth, but the swift recall of experienced players like Josh Rojas and the adjustments in the pitching staff demonstrate the team's proactive approach to maintaining competitive integrity during this period.
