Royals' Nick Loftin: Could be on outs for everyday role
Rotowire
Loftin is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Marlins.
Loftin had started in each of the Royals' last six games and served as the club's leadoff hitter in two of those contests, but playing time may be harder to come by for him after Kansas City brought back Michael Massey (back) from the injured list Monday. Massey is serving as the Royals' designated hitter Monday, but he should soon resume regular duties at second base, where Loftin had been seeing most of his playing time over the past month.
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Royals' Nick Loftin: Hitless out of leadoff spot Sunday
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Loftin went 0-for-4 in Sunday's 4-0 loss to the Rangers.
Though Loftin didn't provide any noteworthy production Sunday, he occupied the leadoff spot for the Royals for the second time in four games. While Kansas City hasn't yet settled on a permanent option atop the batting order, manager Matt Quatraro seems to have at least temporarily pulled the plug on the slumping Maikel Garcia as the club's leadoff hitter. With Garcia batting seventh and eighth in the final two games of the series in Texas, both Loftin and Adam Frazier received looks in the leadoff spot, though Loftin's assignment Sunday might have been a byproduct of Frazier missing the game with a thumb sprain. Even if Loftin sets the table for Kansas City again Monday versus Marlins, he may not stick in the everyday lineup for long. Michael Massey (back) is nearing a return from the 10-day injured list and likely to take back a regular spot at second base.
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Royals' Nick Loftin: Lifts first big-league homer
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Loftin went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run, a walk and an additional RBI in Tuesday's 7-5 loss to the Athletics.
Loftin hit his first career homer off Hogan Harris in the second inning, tying the game at 2-2. While Loftin has seen steady run at second base, he entered Tuesday on an 0-for-14 skid that could jeopardize his playing time. He's slashing .253/.351/.304 with 12 RBI, 13 runs scored and no stolen bases over 95 plate appearances this season. Michael Massey (back) began a rehab assignment Tuesday, so Loftin's time in a starting role -- and potentially in the majors -- could come to a close when Massey is ready to return to the Royals.
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Royals' Nick Loftin: Taking seat Sunday
Rotowire
Loftin is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers.
He'll give way to Garrett Hampson at second base for the series finale. Loftin had manned the keystone in seven of the Royals' previous eight games and should remain Kansas City's primary option at the position until Michael Massey (back) returns from the injured list.
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Royals' Nick Loftin: Not in Thursday's lineup
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Loftin is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest against the Yankees.
Loftin had started each of the last five games at second base, but he will begin Thursday's contest on the bench. Garrett Hampson will occupy the keystone for the Royals as they try to avoid a sweep.
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Royals' Nick Loftin: Idle again
Rotowire
Loftin is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Mariners.
Loftin will be out of the starting lineup for a second straight day, giving way to Adam Frazier at second base. Loftin had started six of the Royals' previous seven games, but they'll opt for the lefty-hitting Frazier on Friday.
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Royals' Nick Loftin: Heading to bench Thursday
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Loftin is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Guardians.
Loftin had been excluded from the lineup the Royals released Wednesday before the game was ultimately postponed due to inclement weather, but he'll get a proper rest day Thursday. Garrett Hampson will step in at second base in place of Loftin, who had picked up starts in six of the Royals' previous seven games.
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Royals' Nick Loftin: Retreating to bench Wednesday
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Loftin is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Guardians.
Loftin had started in six of the previous seven games and looks to have emerged as the Royals' preferred option at second base in the absence of Michael Massey (back), but Loftin will give way to Garrett Hampson at the keystone Wednesday. Since being called up from Triple-A Omaha on May 26, Loftin is hitting .261 with an RBI and a run scored.
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Royals' Nick Loftin: Getting steady playing time
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Loftin will start at second base and bat sixth in Sunday's game against the Padres.
Loftin was excluded from the lineup in the Royals' first two games following his call-up from Triple-A Omaha last Sunday, but he's now getting his fifth start in six games Sunday. Four of those starts have come at second base, and he looks like he could be the preferred option at the position over Adam Frazier until Michael Massey (back) returns from the injured list.
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Royals' Nick Loftin: Summoned from Triple-A
Rotowire
The Royals recalled Loftin from Triple-A Omaha on Sunday.
He'll take the 26-man active roster spot of infielder Michael Massey (back), who was placed on the 10-day injured list. Between the majors and Triple-A level, Loftin has seen time at four different defensive spots (first base, second base third base and left field), so he'll provide Kansas City with some versatility off the bench while he's up with the big club. Most of his starts will likely come versus left-handed pitching.
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Royals' Nick Loftin: Sent to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Royals optioned Loftin to Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.
The transaction likely clears the way for infielder Michael Massey (back) to be activated from the 10-day injured list, but the Royals will wait until shortly before Friday's game against the Orioles before announcing a corresponding move. Loftin has slashed .276/.371/.276 over 13 games in a part-time role for Kansas City this season.
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Royals' Nick Loftin: Drives in three in win
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Loftin went 2-for-3 with a walk, three RBI and a run scored in Saturday's 11-7 win over the Mets.
Loftin has seen most of his playing time at second base this season, sharing the keystone with Adam Frazier. After logging just two hits and one RBI over his first eight games, Loftin has found his swing a bit with three hits and five RBI across his last two contests. He's batting .250 with six RBI, five runs scored and no extra-base hits or stolen bases through 26 plate appearances. Loftin may drop into a utility role or lose his 26-man roster spot altogether once Michael Massey (back) is activated from the injured list.
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Royals' Nick Loftin: Set to play DH on Saturday
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Loftin will start at designated hitter and bat eighth in Saturday's game against the Twins.
Loftin will make his first appearance of the season and start at DH for Nelson Velazquez. Loftin appeared in 19 games for the Royals last season and slashed .323/.368/.435 with 10 RBI over 68 plate appearances.
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Royals' Nick Loftin: Secures roster spot
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Manager Matt Quatraro informed Loftin that he made the Royals' Opening Day roster, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports Saturday.
Loftin will provide cover all around the infield. His best chance for playing time early in the season is at second base, as Michael Massey (back) is set to begin the season on the injured list. Loftin provides a right-handed bench bat for the Royals, so he shouldn't be expected to see more than a short-side platoon role initially. Loftin has hit .325 over 16 Cactus League games, displaying his solid contact-hitting skills.
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Royals' Nick Loftin: Embracing utility role
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Loftin is preparing to fill a utility role in 2024, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Loftin has played all around the infield in his minor-league career, so it's not too much of a defensive adjustment. He's also working on the back fields in the corner outfield. Without a defined position, it's tough to see Loftin getting more than a short-side platoon role to begin the year. That said, the versatility will be valuable to help him stick in the majors. He hit .323 with an .803 OPS over 68 plate appearances in his first big-league audition last year. Those numbers, especially fueled by a .392 BABIP, likely won't last over a longer sample, but he can still be a useful bench bat and defender even if he is a little less consistent.
Loftin went 2-for-5 with a stolen base and a run scored in Friday's 12-5 win over the Yankees.
Loftin had started to skid a bit, going 2-for-14 over his previous five games before turning things around Friday. The infielder has logged two steals over his first 19 contests in the majors after posting seven steals in 88 minor-league games this season. His best attribute so far has been steady hitting -- he's batting .323 with an .803 OPS, no home runs, 10 RBI, 10 runs scored, five doubles and a triple over 68 plate appearances.
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Royals' Nick Loftin: Swipes first career bag
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Loftin went 2-for-3 with two RBI and his first MLB stolen base in Tuesday's 7-6 win over the Guardians.
Getting the start at second base and batting sixth against Cleveland lefty Logan Allen, Loftin collected multiple hits for the third time in his last four games to boost his slash line in the majors to .359/.419/.538 through his first 43 plate appearances. The 24-year-old's .270/.344/.444 line at Triple-A this year is a better reflection of his talent level, but after going 29-for-35 on steal attempts in the high minors in 2022, he could make some additional contributions in that category over the final days of the season.
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Royals' Nick Loftin: Impactful off bench
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Loftin went 2-for-2 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored in Wednesday's 7-1 win over the White Sox.
Loftin has hit safely in seven of his nine games so far, and three of them have been multi-hit efforts. He helped the Royals extend their lead with a couple of run-scoring knocks after entering as a pinch hitter for Nick Pratto in the seventh inning. Loftin is batting .345 (10-for-29) with six RBI, six runs scored, five doubles and a triple through 33 plate appearances. He's seeing time primarily at second base and first base, which has led to smaller roles for Pratto and Michael Massey.
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Royals' Nick Loftin: Gaining foothold in lineup
Rotowire
Loftin will start at first base and bat eighth in Tuesday's game against the White Sox.
Loftin has now cracked the lineup in four of the Royals' past five games, making starts at three infield spots and designated hitter during that span. Though the Royals may not commit to Loftin as their top option at any one position, the 24-year-old's versatility should allow him to hold down a near-everyday role so long as he continues to swing a hot bat. Through his first three big-league games, Loftin has gone 5-for-10 with three doubles, two walks, three runs and three RBI.
