Dairon

Blanco

The team needed a spot for top prospect Jac Caglianone, so they decided to send Blanco to the minors. It’s a bit of an odd move since Blanco is a strong fourth outfielder and elite baserunner, but the Royals don’t seem to believe their current MLB team needs that skillset.

It sounds like a precautionary decision since Massey was set to play left field on Wednesday evening. It’ll be Dairon Blanco taking over in his absence. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for now.

The 32-year-old speedster had been sidelined since the end of March due to right Achilles tendinopathy. The pinch-running specialist will add another element to the Royals’ late-game arsenal for their weekend series against the Cardinals.

Blanco dealt with the problem this spring, too, so the Royals are going to give him some rest here. The pinch-running specialist swiped two bases and scored twice while getting one at-bat in the Royals’ first three games.

Blanco, 31, is considered day-to-day. The speedy outfielder will take a seat with Joey Wiemer getting the start in the outfield in Blanco’s absence.

No reason given for the scratch, but these things tend to happen during the exhibition season. Joey Wiemer will instead get the start in center field.

It was Blanco’s fourth home run of the season and third in the last two games. Blanco hit a solo shot off Andrew Abbott in the fifth inning. He could be worth rostering in AL-Only leagues if he continues to start over MJ Melendez. Blanco is hitting .257 with 22 stolen bases this year. While his power surge could wear off, he has the speed to fall back on as long as he hits enough to play regularly.

Blanco had a game for the ages. He hit a two-run shot off Nick Lodolo in the second inning and then hit a grand slam off Buck Farmer in the third inning. Blanco has just three home runs on the year. He’s more known for his speed than his bat, but doesn’t figure to be a fantasy asset either way without an increase in playing time.

Isbel fouled a ball off his face in Saturday’s game and has now missed two straight games. There’s no indication that he’ll be out for an extended period of time, but he’s also just 11-for-52 (.212) in 17 games in May. Dairon Blanco will start in his place on Monday, and if the Royals ever decided to give Blanco regular playing time over Isbel, his speed would be a major difference-maker in fantasy leagues.

With J.P. Sears on the mound, the Royals will have Pasquantino grab a seat on the bench. Salvador Perez is starting at first base and Freddy Fermin is the starting backstop. The Royals will also have MJ Melendez open the game on the bench with Dairon Blanco starting in left field.