For Michael Massey, the 2026 major league season will begin in a place he doesn’t want to be — on the injured list, where the Kansas City Royals placed him when they set their Opening Day roster earlier this week.

That the dreaded IL isn’t a good way for anyone to start the season is especially true for Massey, a promising player whose previous time there has hampered his otherwise good chances of becoming a regular fixture in the Royals’ lineup.

And being sidelined for Friday night’s club opener in Atlanta could mark the beginning of a make-or-break season for Massey. While another campaign marred by trips to the IL might not end his professional career, it could spell trouble for his future in Kansas City.

Is time with the Royals running out for Michael Massey?

That’s an important question facing the team and players as the new season kicks off. After the 15 homers he hit in 2023 helped dampen concerns about his disappointing .229/.274/.381 line and 74 wRC+, and he posted a serviceable +3 OAA in 118 games at second base, Massey appeared headed for a decent run at the keystone for the Royals.

But Massey’s health became an issue the following season. Back tightness ended his Cactus League season in mid-March, landed him on the IL to start the season, and kept him off the big league roster until late April.

More back trouble sent Massy back to the IL in late May; he returned for good almost a month later, but the 53 days he spent out of the big league lineup constituted an unfortunate feature of his season. Still, he finished with 14 homers and a respectable 104 wRC+ and .259 average in 100 games, but the Royals needed more playing time from him.

Unfortunately, they didn’t get it in 2025. Instead, the ankle he sprained in early June kept him from playing in the majors until late August; the long spans spent on the IL and minor league rehab assignments distracted from the .375/.412/.484 he slashed during his down-the-stretch return.

That late-season hot streak gave the Royals hope Massey was ready for a stellar 2026. His sizzling .364/.417/.545 eight-game start to the Cactus League campaign intensified that hope, but Massey went down once again when he suffered an early March calf strain. He’s on the 10-day IL retroactive to March 22.

Whether Massey will be recovered and primed for play by the time those 10 days are up remains to be seen. It’s a good bet he’ll serve a stint in the minors on a rehab assignment before rejoining the Royals.

Whenever he returns, though, questions and concerns about his health will surround him. They are unavoidable.

And well-placed. Massey’s situation hasn’t reached Adalberto Mondesi-type proportions, but it feels like it could. That’s why this may well prove to be that ominous make-or-break season for Massey.

If he’s healthy, look for him to contribute. If he’s not, it might be time for the Royals to make a move.