Velazquez is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays.
Velazquez is 2-for-21 in his past seven games and will head to the bench for the second time in Kansas City's past three contests. Adam Frazier is batting sixth as the designated hitter Tuesday.
... See More... See Less
Royals' Nelson Velazquez: Sitting for Game 2
Rotowire
Velazquez is out of the lineup for Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader against the White Sox.
Velazquez went 1-for-4 with a double and a run in Game 1, but he'll take a seat in the nightcap after making 12 straight starts. Salvador Perez will serve as the designated hitter while Freddy Fermin starts behind the plate.
... See More... See Less
Royals' Nelson Velazquez: Records steal Saturday
Rotowire
Velazquez went 2-for-5 with one RBI, a stolen base and one run scored in Saturday's 11-7 win over the Mets.
Velazquez was one of six Royals to log multiple hits Saturday. He's known for his power more than his speed -- this was his first steal and attempt since 2022. He's earned a significant role early in 2024, slashing .333/.385/.521 with two home runs, seven RBI, eight runs scored and three doubles over 13 contests as the Royals' primary designated hitter.
Velazquez went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, an additional RBI, a walk and two runs scored in Thursday's 10-1 win over the White Sox.
Velazquez provided the Royals' early offense with an RBI single in the second inning and a solo shot in the fourth. The 25-year-old has some interesting power -- he's already swatted two homers through five games this season after hitting 17 in 53 contests a year ago. Velazquez is batting .294 with a 2:7 BB:K, three RBI and four runs scored over 19 plate appearances. The Royals are making sure he's not a full-time player against right-handed pitchers early on, though he could force his way to that kind of role if he continues to hit well.
... See More... See Less
Royals' Nelson Velazquez: Not in Wednesday's lineup
Rotowire
Velazquez is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's contest in Baltimore.
With ace right-hander Corbin Burnes toeing the slab for the Orioles, it's not a bad time for the Royals to give the right-handed-hitting Velazquez a day off. Vinnie Pasquantino will serve as the designated hitter Wednesday, while Salvador Perez will cover first base and Freddy Fermin will handle catching duties.
... See More... See Less
Royals' Nelson Velazquez: Launches homer in win
Rotowire
Velazquez went 2-for-3 with a solo homer, a walk and two runs scored in Sunday's 11-0 win over the Twins.
Velazquez singled in the first inning and walked and scored in the second frame before launching a solo homer off of reliever Cole Sands in the bottom of the sixth. The outfielder was making only his second start of the season, but if he can keep producing like he did Sunday, he'll see an uptick in playing time as the season goes on.
... See More... See Less
Royals' Nelson Velazquez: Won't start Saturday vs. Twins
Rotowire
Velazquez is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against Minnesota.
Velazquez got the start at DH for the season opener Thursday, finishing 0-for-3 with one strikeout. Nick Loftin will be the designated hitter for the Royals on Saturday and bat eighth against Twins right-hander Joe Ryan.
Velazquez is penciled in as the Royals' designated hitter, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Velazquez mashed when he came to the Royals from the Cubs last season, but it remains to be seen if he can do it over a full season. The power is real, but his 28.5 percent strikeout rate is a concern. With Salvador Perez also getting up there in age -- he'll be 34 for much of the season -- the longtime catcher could see more games as the DH, which likely would leave Velazquez on the bench against some right-handers.
Velazquez is not in Sunday's lineup against the Yankees.
Velazquez hit .244 with nine home runs, 17 runs and 20 RBI over 23 games in a huge month of September. It would seem that he played well enough down the stretch to enter 2024 as a regular in the middle of the Royals' lineup.
... See More... See Less
Royals' Nelson Velazquez: Absent from lineup
Rotowire
Velazquez is out of the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Tigers.
It's a routine day off for Velazquez, who had started each of the previous 11 contests for the Royals. Drew Waters will occupy right field Thursday while Edward Olivares serves as the designated hitter.
... See More... See Less
Royals' Nelson Velazquez: Goes deep twice
Rotowire
Velazquez went 2-for-3 with two solo homers in Sunday's 6-5 win over the Astros.
Velazquez tallied the first Royals run of the game with his 380-foot homer off Hunter Brown in the second inning. He wasn't done for the day, as he cranked a 396-foot solo shot the next inning, again off Brown. Velazquez has been on a torrid power tear lately, hitting five home runs over his past nine games. The former Cub is slashing .239/.313/.632 with 14 homers, 25 runs and 27 RBI over 36 games since joining the Royals.
... See More... See Less
Royals' Nelson Velazquez: Reaches 15-homer mark
Rotowire
Velazquez went 1-for-5 with a three-run home run in Wednesday's 6-2 win over the Guardians.
Velazquez's first-inning blast was all the Royals needed to earn the win. The outfielder has gone a modest 15-for-55 (.273) in September, but seven of his hits have left the yard. He's up to 15 homers, 31 RBI, 30 runs scored, six doubles and no stolen bases while slashing .244/.313/.622 over 46 contests between the Royals and the Cubs this season. The 24-year-old outfielder's power has helped him earn fairly steady playing time over the last month.
... See More... See Less
Royals' Nelson Velazquez: Smacks 14th homer
Rotowire
Velazquez went 1-for-3 with a home run, one RBI and two runs scored in Monday's 6-4 win over Cleveland.
Velazquez launched a 425-foot solo home run off Cal Quantrill in the sixth inning to chase the Guardians' starter from the game. The 24-year-old has been a steady source of power since arriving from the Cubs at the trade deadline. Velazquez has hit .235/.303/.602 with 11 homers, 21 RBI and 20 runs in 31 games with the Royals.
