Isaac

Collins

Collins was also caught stealing for the third time in four tries this season. That’s a definite issue for him as a fantasy outfielder, since he probably has more potential in steals than in any other category. But Collins should be a fourth outfielder anyway. The Royals have thus far started him 26 times in 34 games, and he’s responded by hitting .236/.343/337 with below average defense in left field.

It’s a well-deserved break for Perez on Saturday afternoon in New York following 20 consecutive starts between catcher and DH to open the season. The 35-year-old has gotten off to a rocky start at the dish, hitting .160 with three homers and six RBI during that span. Carter Jensen will handle the catching duties with Isaac Collins (knee) back in the lineup at DH after a three-game absence.

Collins injured his knee when he went crashing into the crowd at Comerica Park on Tuesday while attempting to run down a foul fly. If this lingers much longer, the Royals may be forced to make a move and shift him to the injured list. Lane Thomas will start in his place in left field on Friday night and will bat ninth against Yankees’ right-hander Cam Schlittler.

Massey has now started five of his last six games and six of the eight games since he came off the injured list. He has played both second base and left field, and will be in left field on Thursday with Isaac Collins (knee) still out. Massey is just 2-for-12 with a 4/1 K/BB ratio on the season, so he doesn’t need to be added anywhere right now.

The good news here is that Collins managed to avoid serious injury when he went crashing into the left-field seats while chasing a foul ball during the first inning of Tuesday’s game against the Tigers. The 28-year-old outfielder will likely need a couple days off to rest and recover after being diagnosed with a right knee contusion.

Collins was fortunate to avoid serious injury when he went crashing head-first into the left-field seats attempting to catch a foul ball during the first inning of Tuesday’s game at Comerica Park. The 28-year-old outfielder is presumably day-to-day but will probably need a couple days off to recover.

Collins was immediately lifted from the contest after crashing into the stands to attempt to catch a foul ball. He was replaced by Tyler Tolbert in left field. There should be an update on his status following the contest.

Collins has been managing a back issue recently and will DH on Wednesday night before returning to playing the field later this week. The 28-year-old corner outfielder appears on track to be ready for next week’s season opener.

The Royals knew about it when they acquired him from the Brewers in the offseason, but it hadn’t been reported until now. Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Collins feels good but “the club felt like there was no reason to rush him into games right when the Cactus League slate opened.” Collins should be in the Royals’ spring lineups as early as this weekend, so fantasy managers can see just how his knee is holding up in the field and on the bases.

“We want a neutral ballpark where if you hit a ball well, it should be a home run,” said Royals general manager J.J. Picollo. According to Stacast’s Park Factors, Kauffman Stadium ranked 6th in baseball as an offensive park. However, this ranking was largely due to its having the second-largest outfield in baseball, which promotes doubles and triples. It ranked 25th in baseball as a home run park, which is the fourth-lowest mark of any stadium that has been in use for at least the last three seasons. The team will keep centerfield at 410 feet, but will shorten the power alleys from 389 feet to 379 feet, and “the fences will continue on that path, 9 to 10 feet shorter, nearly all the way to the corners.” This will not only help established power hitters like Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino, and Salvador Perez hit more home runs, but should be a nice boost for young players with plus power like Jac Caglianone and Carter Jensen. However, batting average hitters with fringe power, like Isaac Collins and Jonathan India, may see a slight regression with a smaller outfield for extra base hits to fall in.