Kennedy: Injury 'Took Away My Changeup' in '17

Daily Clips

November 29, 2017 it robbed him of perhaps his most effective pitch, his LOCAL changeup.

"[The injury] was tough," Kennedy said. "I felt like it took Kennedy: Injury 'took away my away my changeup, which I didn't have until my last start of changeup' in '17 the year. Every time I threw the changeup after I came back Righty dominated in April before sustaining from the disabled list, I could feel [the hamstring]. It was just on the changeup. It got worse and worse." right hamstring strain on May 4 November 28, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com The numbers back up Kennedy's observation. Before the http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/262489182/royals-ian- hamstring injury, opponents hit .100 off his changeup (2-for- kennedy-lost-changeup-after-injury/ 20), slugged at .250 and had a whiff rate of 48.7 percent, per Carlos Beltran being considered for Statcast™. But after the injury, opponents slugged .429 off Yankees’ managerial opening his changeup and his whiff rate dropped to 27.4 percent. November 28, 2017 By Pete Grathoff/KC Star Overall, after returning from the injury on May 21, http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/article186839483.htm Kennedy's ERA soared to 6.08 and teams slugged .528 l against him. He simply wasn't the same pitcher. If he leaves KC, Royals fans might "[The hamstring] wasn't feeling great at the end of the miss Alcides Escobar more than they season," Kennedy said. "It wasn't hurt. It just felt more tired, would think so I wasn't using that leg as much and I think I was November 28, 2017 By Lee Judge/KC Star compensating in other ways. It just wasn't working." http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns- blogs/judging-the-royals/article186946603.html Kennedy recently began his offseason workout program, and his No. 1 goal is to ensure his hamstring issues will be a thing of the past. NATIONAL "I've been working out and trying to incorporate more stretching, some Pilates a little bit, just to get more 10 intriguing players eligible for the flexibility," Kennedy said. "I'm tired of having problems with Rule 5 Draft my hamstrings. I'm exploring a bunch of ways to make sure November 28, 2017 By Jonathan Mayo/MLB.com it's not going to be a problem again." http://m.mlb.com/news/article/262486372/top-available- Carlos Beltran being considered for prospects-in-mlb-rule-5-draft/ Yankees’ managerial opening Kansas City gave Cuthbert the go- November 28, 2017 By Pete Grathoff/KC Star ahead http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/article186839483.htm November 29, 2017 La Estrealla De Panama l http://laestrella.com.pa/deportes/beisbol/kansas-city-visto- bueno-cuthbert/24035977 There’s a chance that Carlos Beltran will return to Kauffman MLB TRANSACTIONS Stadium in 2018 — in a Yankees uniform. November 29, 2017 •.CBSSports.com Beltran, who retired after the Astros won the World Series, is http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/transactions interviewing for the Yankees’ vacant managerial job, the New York Daily News reported Tuesday.

LOCAL Mike Mazzeo reported that Beltran will be the sixth candidate to interview for the job, joining Rob Thomson, Eric Kennedy: Injury 'took away my Wedge, Hensley Meulens, Aaron Boone and Chris Woodward. changeup' in '17 Righty dominated in April before sustaining Beltran, who won the Rookie of the Year award with the right hamstring strain on May 4 Royals in 1999, played seven seasons in Kansas City and hit . 287 with 123 home runs, 145 doubles, 45 triples, 516 RBIs November 28, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com and 164 stolen bases in 795 games. http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/262489182/royals-ian- kennedy-lost-changeup-after-injury/ After Houston won the World Series earlier this month, Beltran said he hoped to become a coach. Royals right-hander Ian Kennedy appeared to be headed for a career year in 2017, posting a 2.30 ERA through the first “My decision won’t be difficult at all after winning this month of the season, as opponents slugged just .262 against ring,” Beltran said. “I will play maybe one more year or stay him in April. home. But at the end of the day, I want to stay in the game. I feel like I have a lot to contribute to the game of baseball and But in early May, Kennedy suffered a right hamstring strain, I am passionate about the game of baseball, so I want to be and his season was never the same. around.” Kennedy finished the year with a 5.38 ERA, his worst since The Yankees fired Joe Girardi after the season, despite New 2008. And the righty believes he knows why: After coming York losing the American League Championship Series in back in late May, his hamstring injury never fully healed, and seven games to Houston. If he leaves KC, Royals fans might Whether it was because they wanted to take days off or got hurt, here’s what some of the other American League miss Alcides Escobar more than they shortstops did in 2017: would think ▪ New York Yankees, Didi Gregorius, 136 games November 28, 2017 By Lee Judge/KC Star http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns- ▪ Minnesota Twins, Jorge Polanco, 133 games blogs/judging-the-royals/article186946603.html ▪ Detroit Tigers, Jose Iglesias, 130 games On October 1 the Royals played the last game of their 2017 season. That afternoon, in the top of the fifth inning, four ▪ Seattle Mariners, Jean Segura, 125 games players walked off the field to a mixture of cheers and tears. ▪ Houston Astros, Carlos Correa, 109 games Since that day there has been a lot of speculation about the fate of three of those players; Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas ▪ Oakland Athletics, Chad Pinder, 87 games and Lorenzo Cain. ▪ Oakland Athletics, Marcus Semien, 85 games The fourth player, Alcides Escobar, hasn’t gotten nearly so much attention. ▪ Baltimore Orioles, J.J. Hardy, 73 games On October 1 the Royals played the last game of their 2017 ▪ Toronto Blue Jays, Troy Tulowitzki, 66 games season. That afternoon, in the top of the fifth inning, four players walked off the field to a mixture of cheers and tears. Over and over again Escobar got hit by a pitch or had a collision that made everybody think he would be out for a Since that day there has been a lot of speculation about the while, but over and over again Escobar bounced back up and fate of three of those players; Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas kept playing. It happened so often his teammates started and Lorenzo Cain. calling Escobar “The Shark” — no bones, just cartilage. The fourth player, Alcides Escobar, hasn’t gotten nearly so If Escobar does not return to the Royals in 2018 and Raul much attention. Mondesi gets the shortstop job, don’t be surprised if Mondesi plays a lot fewer games than Escobar. And if Mondesi isn’t But that was then; what’s Escobar done for the Royals lately? on the field someone not as good as Mondesi will be. In the first two months of the 2017 season Escobar hit .186 Ask around and Escobar’s defense is still considered above and people talked about him having a poor season; but from average. Escobar will turn 31 this December, but as guys lose June 1 on, Escobar hit .283 and slugged .418. a step they can make up for that with the better positioning that should come with experience. Because his first two months were lousy, it was hard for Escobar to move the needle, so people kept talking about Conclusion Escobar having a lousy season when he actually had a lousy two months; after June 1, Escobar played like an All-Star. If Alcides Escobar does not return to the Royals in 2018 they’ll have to replace a shortstop that still provided above- And Escobar played every day. average defense, hit over .280 for the last four months of the season and played every day. Say you’ve got two players and one puts up good numbers while the other player puts up great numbers. If the guy who Conclusion? puts up good numbers plays every day and the guy who puts up great numbers takes a lot of days off and spends time on If Alcides Escobar does not return to the Royals in 2018, the DL, the good-numbers guy might be more valuable. you’re going to miss him more than you think. And then there are the players who suddenly have a tight hamstring when they’re about to face a certain pitchers. If Dallas Keuchel gives you a hard time and he’s due to pitch NATIONAL for the Astros, you might want to protect your numbers by taking the day off, even though your backup hits Keuchel 10 intriguing players eligible for the even worse than you do. Rule 5 Draft Since coming to Kansas City, Escobar has played all 162 November 28, 2017 By Jonathan Mayo/MLB.com games in three seasons, including 2017 and ’16, and in http://m.mlb.com/news/article/262486372/top-available- another three seasons Escobar played at least 155 games. prospects-in-mlb-rule-5-draft/ Escobar’s durability meant the Royals had their best shortstop on the field more often than their opponents. The annual Winter Meetings, set to begin on Dec. 10 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., this year, are often hard to predict. One If a shortstop stays healthy, but takes one day off a week, year is insanely busy with trades and signings, another might he’ll play approximately 136 games. That means his team be relatively quiet. One thing that is a constant, however, is will go with something less than their best at short in at least that the Rule 5 Draft will help wrap up the Meetings on 26 games. And if a shortstop gets hurt, it can be a lot more Thursday morning. than 26 games. MLB.com and MLB Network will have wall-to-wall coverage of the 2017 Winter Meetings from the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort. Fans can catch a live stream of the Rule 5 Draft on MLB.com on Thursday, Dec. injury in 2017, but a team could try to catch lightning in a 14, at 9 a.m. ET. bottle.

Teams made decisions on who to protect on their 40-man Nick Ciuffo, C, Rays' No. 25: The No. 21 overall pick in the roster by Nov. 20. Now scouting departments are scouring 2013 Draft hasn't hit as hoped, with a .248/.292/.334 career the eligible list to determine if anyone is worthy of a Rule 5 line, but Ciuffo has thrown out 46 percent of would-be Draft selection. basestealers, and teams often look for backup catching help via the Rule 5 Draft. Players first signed at age 18 must be added to 40-man rosters within five seasons or they become eligible to be Michael De Leon, SS, Rangers' No. 28: On one hand, De drafted by other organizations through the Rule 5 Draft Leon is just 20 and played in Double-A in 2017. On the process. Players signed at 19 years or older have to be other, he put up a .223/.257/.284 line. That said, he's a skilled protected within four seasons. Clubs pay $100,000 to select a defender who could be called upon to play multiple positions. player in the Major League phase of the Rule 5 Draft. If that player doesn't stay on the 25-man roster for the full season, Travis Demeritte, 2B/3B, Braves' No. 12: Taken at the end of he must be offered back to his former team for $50,000. the first round of the 2013 Draft by the Rangers, Demeritte was sent to the Braves close to the 2016 Trade Deadline. His For this year, that means an international or high school Draft move to Double-A in 2017 was up and down, but while there pick signed in 2013 -- assuming he was 18 or younger as of is swing-and-miss, there also is power plus the ability to play June 5 of that year -- has to be protected. A college player second and third. taken in the 2014 Draft is in the same position. Tyler Eppler, RHP, Pirates' No. 26: The 6-foot-6 right-hander There are nine first-round picks from the 2013 Draft -- may not fit the profile of a typical Rule 5 Draft pick because including three of the first seven players selected -- and of a lack of power stuff, but he's been very durable and while another two from the '14 Draft available in this year's Rule 5 his move to Triple-A was rocky, he has logged a lot of upper- Draft. level innings and could be the type to get a chance to stick as a No. 5 starter. 2013 first-rounders available: Jordan Guerrero, LHP, White Sox's No. 21: After a subpar 1. Mark Appel, RHP, Phillies 2016, Guerrero was left unprotected, but wasn't taken. His 4. Kohl Stewart, RHP, Twins return to Double-A in 2017 was better, though he faded a bit 7. Trey Ball, LHP, Red Sox down the stretch. Lefties are often popular come Rule 5 Draft 12. D.J. Peterson, 3B, Reds time, and while Guerrero has proven to be a solid starter, he 20. Jonathon Crawford, RHP, Reds could get a look for a bullpen role. 21. Nick Ciuffo, C, Rays 26. Eric Jagielo, 1B, Reds Gavin LaValley, 1B, Reds' No. 20: The Reds have long 28. Rob Kaminsky, LHP, Indians thought LaValley would develop into a strong all-around 30. Travis Demeritte, 2B, Braves hitter and he did have a bit of a breakout in 2017 in the Florida State League, earning a promotion to Double-A. He 2014 first-rounders available: finished with a career-high 18 home runs in the process.

11. Max Pentecost, C, Blue Jays Ryan O'Hearn, 1B, Royals' No. 14: Teams looking for left- 19. Nick Howard, RHP, Reds handed power off the bench might give O'Hearn a shot, as he's hit 20-plus home runs in each of his first full three Many who were up for protection are on team Top 30 seasons. He's largely a first baseman only, though he's seen Prospects lists, 153 to be exact. There were 85 who were time in the outfield corners and a team could move him added to rosters, thus protecting them. Any of the remaining around (along with DHing him). 68 could hear their names called on Dec. 14 and get a chance to stick on a 25-man roster. Max Pentecost, C/1B, Blue Jays' No. 8: The No. 11 overall pick in the 2014 Draft out of Kennesaw State, Pentecost There were 18 players taken in the Major League phase of missed the entire 2015 season following shoulder surgery. He the Rule 5 Draft a year ago, and 10 of them saw time in the didn't return to catching until this past season, then put his big leagues with the teams that drafted them or traded for wares on his display for all 30 teams in the Arizona Fall them immediately following the draft. Another three made it League, when shoulder pain resurfaced and he was shut up after they were sent back to their original teams. Five of down early. He still has some hitting ability and power from those 18 players were on team Top 30 Prospects lists at the the right side of the plate. time they were selected. Kohl Stewart, RHP, Twins' No. 9: Stewart went three picks This year's Rule 5 Draft is likely to be no different in terms after Appel, No. 4 overall, in that 2013 Draft, and while the of uncovering Major League contributors. There's still a lot Twins knew it would take some time for him to develop after of time for teams to figure out who will go in the Major being a two-sport star in high school, it hasn't come together League phase of the Draft, but there certainly are some as hoped. That said, despite missing time with a knee injury intriguing names on the eligibles list. Mostly using that list of in 2017, he did pitch at the upper levels and teams might be 68 Top 30 Prospects, here is an alphabetical list of 10 interested in his ground-ball rate (1.72 GO/AO in his career). interesting players who are eligible to be selected: Here's a list of all 30 teams' Top 30 prospects who are Mark Appel, RHP, Phillies: The No. 1 overall pick in the eligible to be selected in the Rule 5 Draft: 2013 Draft was just designated for assignment and no one claimed him, so seeing him go in the Rule 5 Draft might be a Arizona Diamondbacks (3) long shot, but stranger things have happened. He battled 12. Brad Keller, RHP 26. John Norwood, OF 19. Victor Reyes, OF 27. Austin Dean, OF 26. Jose Almonte, RHP Minnesota Twins (4) Atlanta Braves (2) 9. Kohl Stewart, RHP 13. Travis Demeritte, 2B/3B 10. Lewin Diaz, 1B 15. Dustin Peterson, OF 23. Jake Reed, RHP 28. Nick Burdi, RHP Baltimore Orioles (2) New York Mets (4) 19. Randolph Gassaway, OF 29. John Means, LHP 12. Wuilmer Becerra, OF 15. Jhoan Urena, 3B Boston Red Sox (4) 17. Luis Carpio, SS 20. Ali Sanchez, C 24. Jake Cosart, RHP 25. Kyle Martin, RHP Oakland A's (1) 28. Hildemaro Requena, RHP 30. Jhonathan Diaz, LHP 26. Casey Meisner, RHP

Chicago Cubs (5) Philadelphia Phillies (2)

9. Trevor Clifton, RHP 16. Jose Gomez, INF 16. Chesny Young, 2B/SS/OF 23. Carlos Tocci, OF 22. Charcer Burks, OF 26. Erling Moreno, RHP Pittsburgh Pirates (3) 29. Jose Paulino, LHP 19. Yeudy Garcia, RHP Chicago White Sox (2) 26. Tyler Eppler, RHP 30. Adrian Valerio, SS 21. Jordan Guerrero, LHP 29. Luis Martinez, RHP San Francisco Giants (3)

Cincinnati Reds (3) 20. Sam Coonrod, RHP 21. Jordan Johnson, RHP 20, Gavin LaValley, 1B 24. Kelvin Beltre, 2B 26. Nick Longhi, 1B/OF 28. Michael Beltre, OF Seattle Mariners (5)

Colorado Rockies (3) 12. Luis Liberato, OF 13. Anthony Jimenez, OF 15. Dom Nunez, C 14. Greifer Andrade, OF 21. James Farris, RHP 22. Ian Miller, OF 24. Harrison Musgrave, LHP 28. Chuck Taylor, OF

Detroit Tigers (2) Tampa Bay Rays (1)

21. Jose Azocar, OF 25. Nick Cuiffo, C 26. Adam Ravenelle, RHP Texas Rangers (1) Houston Astros (1) 28. Michael De Leon, SS 16. Jason Martin, OF Toronto Blue Jays (5) Kansas City Royals (2) 8. Max Pentecost, C/1B 14. Ryan O'Hearn, 1B 19. Jordan Romano, RHP 19. Marten Gasparini, OF 23. Francisco Rios, RHP 24. Patrick Murphy, RHP Los Angeles Angels (2) 30. Angel Perdomo, LHP

27. Osmer Morales, RHP Washington Nationals (3) 30. Damien Magnifico, RHP 18. Drew Ward, 3B Miami Marlins (5) 23. Taylor Gushue, C 26. Osvaldo Abreu, SS/2B 10. Jeff Brigham, RHP Kansas City gave Cuthbert the go- 23. Ricardo Cespedes, OF 24. Isael Soto, OF ahead November 29, 2017 La Estrealla De Panama http://laestrella.com.pa/deportes/beisbol/kansas-city-visto- bueno-cuthbert/24035977

Nicaragua's baseball team will feature 'big leagues' Cheslor Cuthbert in the 11th Central American Games, which will take place in Managua from December 3 to 17, informed Nicaraguan coach Julio Sánchez.

'Cheslor on Thursday trains with us already', said Sanchez, to Efe.

The possibility of Cuthbert integrating the Nicaraguan team depended on the approval of his team, the Kansas City Royals, Major League Baseball (MLB), United States.

Cuthbert, the only Nicaraguan player in the Major Leagues, will begin training on Thursday, the coach said.

The player, born in Corn Island, of the Nicaraguan Caribbean Sea, hopes to shine with his country after having been relegated to the bench by the Royals this year, although only the previous season had been his best hitter.

Cuthbert is projected to be the third starting point for the whole of Nicaragua, which is still in the pre-selection phase.

A total of 31 players compete for 24 spots for the 11th Central American Games in Nicaragua's baseball team.

The team must be defined on December 10, two days before the start of the competition, according to Sanchez.

Winning the gold medal in baseball is the great goal of Nicaragua in the event that will gather 5,000 representatives from the 7 countries of Central America, of which some 3,500 will be athletes, who will compete in 28 sports disciplines. MLB TRANSACTIONS November 29, 2017 •.CBSSports.com http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/transactions

TEAM PLAYER TRANSACTION

Texas Signed as Free Agent, ( 2018; Opt Doug Fister Rangers 2019)(one-year contract)