John

Rave

With Salvador Perez dealing with a sore elbow, the Royals wanted to get an extra catcher on hand in case of an emergency, to Luke Maile was recalled from Triple-A at the expense of Rave on Thursday. The 28-year-old outfielder should get another opportunity with the Royals before the summer is through.

Rave was making his first start since being recalled from Triple-A on Sunday. His homer was one of four that Kansas City hit off Washington starter Zack Littell. Rave actually led the Royals in left field starts last season, though it was only 26 and the team had 10 players make a start there. He’s off the fantasy radar, even in deeper leagues, unless his playing time increases meaningfully.

Rave will get another opportunity with the Royals after Vinnie Pasquantino (hamate bone) landed on the injured list on Sunday. Expect him see action in the outfield with Jac Caglianone shifting to first base to cover for Pasquantino. Rave has hit .278/.395/.475 with 10 homers, 32 RBI, 16 stolen bases and a 56/43 K/BB ratio over 275 plate appearances at Triple-A Omaha this season. He should see regular action against right-handed pitching and could be worth a look in deeper mixed leagues.

It was a bad day for hamate bones in the American League Central on Saturday as both Pasquantino and Guardians’ third baseman José Ramírez fractured theirs while swinging the bat. The 28-year-old slugger is expected to miss at least four-to-six weeks. John Rave was recalled from Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move on Sunday. Jac Caglianone is expected to see the bulk of the action at first base while Pasquantino is shelved.

The Royals didn’t confirm that he broke the bone on his fifth-inning swing, but that’s pretty much the only hamate injury there is. If it is a break, he’ll miss at least four-to-six weeks. John Rave or Josh Rojas could replace him on the roster. Rave makes more sense, since Jac Caglianone will likely play a lot of first base.

Bergert’s departure from camp is a notable development since it virtually guarantees that Noah Cameron will have a rotation spot to open the year. The 26-year-old righty posted a respectable 3.66 ERA (4.32 xERA), 1.26 WHIP and 73/35 K/BB ratio across 76 1/3 innings between the Royals and Padres as a rookie last year. Misner and Rave were candidates for a spot on Kansas City’s bench but will head back to the minors to open the year. They profile as platoon options at the highest level.

It’s possible that Caglianone would have been lifted for a pinch-runner anyways in that situation, but it’s at least something that fantasy managers to pay attention to. John Rave entered the game for him and could be in line for additional action if Caglianone is forced to miss any time.

Rave will take the roster spot of Kyle Isbel, who was put on the IL with a hamstring strain. Rave hit 199/.286/.324 with four homers and seven steals in 156 plate appearances in his previous stint with the big league club, so he’s likely just a bench outfielder for the remainder of the season.

Rave, who was called up in late May to make his major league debut, loses his spot after batting .199/.286/.324 with four homers and seven steals in 156 plate appearances. He might be back next month, but Triple-A is probably where he belongs.

The Royals picked Nick Loftin over Rave in left field against a righty for a second straight game tonight, but Rave was needed early and homered off Sean Burke in the third. He later singled and scored a second run. Loftin had a nice game, too, going 2-for-3 with an RBI and a walk, so Rave didn’t make up much ground there. It’s possible Rave, currently hitting .217/.312/.358 in 140 plate appearances, will be sent down when Jac Caglianone comes off the injured list.