KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – As the Kansas City Royals prepare for their Friday night season-opener in Atlanta, the organization announced its 26-man Opening Day roster on Wednesday.
Here’s who will be with the Royals’ MLB roster when the season begins Friday.
Pitchers
Starting pitchers:
Cole RagansSeth LugoMichael WachaKris BubicNoah Cameron
Each of the five members of the Royals starting rotation in 2026 were with the team last season as well. Bubic returns after his 2025 season ended due to injury in July. Ragans will make the Opening Day start for Kansas City for the third straight year.
Relief pitchers:
Bailey FalterAlex LangeDaniel Lynch IVNick MearsJohn SchreiberMatt StrahmLucas ErcegCarlos Estevez
The back end of the Royals bullpen looks similar to last year with Schreiber, Erceg and Estevez returning, but Matt Strahm’s return to Kansas City puts him into a similar role held by Angel Zerpa last year.
Alex Lange, a former Lee’s Summit West star, makes the Royals Opening Day roster after signing a one-year deal with his hometown team in November.
Pitchers on injured list:
Stephen Kolek (15-day IL)James McArthur (15-day IL)Alec Marsh (60-day IL)Hitters
Catchers:
Salvador PerezCarter Jensen
After getting a call-up from Triple-A to make his MLB debut last September, the Park Hill High School product and former third-round pick of the Royals makes his first Opening Day roster.
Jensen hit .300 in 60 at-bats last September and is on the short-list of preseason contenders for AL Rookie of the Year in 2026.
Infielders:
Maikel GarciaBobby Witt Jr.Jonathan IndiaNick LoftinVinnie PasquantinoTyler TolbertMichael Massey (10-day injured list)
The left side of the Royals starting infield was solidified for years to come with third baseman Maikel Garcia signing an extension this offseason. He and shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. are both now under contract for multiple years, with Witt Jr. on the largest contract in franchise history.
Garcia comes into 2026 after being named an All-Star for the first time in 2025 and winning World Baseball Classic MVP this March when he helped Venezuela win the international tournament for the first time.
Outfielders:
Kyle IsbelStarling MarteIsaac CollinsJac CaglianoneLane Thomas
Top Royals prospect Jac Caglianone has settled into right field as a more permanent defensive spot for the former first-round pick. He and Kyle Isbel return to the Royals outfield and are joined by several new faces.
Isaac Collins was acquired by Kansas City in the Angel Zerpa trade after finishing fourth in NL Rookie of the Year voting last season. Lane Thomas was signed by the Royals after two seasons with the Cleveland Guardians.
Veteran outfielder Starling Marte signed with the Royals during Spring Training. By making the Royals roster, he has the second-most service time of any player on the team, trailing only Salvador Perez.
Transactions:
On Wednesday, the Royals made a slew of final moves to get their Opening Day roster down to 26 players. Those moves included placing McArthur (right elbow inflammation), Kolek (left oblique strain) and Massey (left calf strain) on the injured list.
Outfielder Drew Waters was designated for assignment after he went back and forth between Triple-A Omaha and the MLB roster throughout the last few seasons.
Relief pitcher Eli Morgan was optioned to Omaha.
Kansas City’s season begins Friday night at 6:15 p.m. CT in Atlanta. The Royals’ home-opener at Kauffman Stadium will be Monday at 3:10 p.m. CT against the Minnesota Twins. The home-opener, along with nine other games this season, will be simulcast for free on KCTV.
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