CLEVELAND
The Kansas City Royals reinstated second baseman Michael Massey from the 10-day injured list Monday morning.
Massey, 28, was sidelined with a left calf strain. He dealt with the injury in spring training and didn’t travel when the club broke camp in Surprise, Arizona.
“I mean, honestly, just spring training, it felt a little tight,” Massey said. “Came out of that game against Chicago and got an MRI. I was a little bit surprised that it showed up as a Grade 2 (strain). It just felt kind of tight. Obviously, gotta respect the MRI. And like I said, these guys did a great job with the treatment and the plan to get me back quick.”
Massey continued his rehab and played in minor-league spring games. At the time, Massey needed to demonstrate the ability to run at full speed.
“First time I’ve had a calf (strain),” Massey said. “So, obviously, just kind of new territory. But … I’ve been through some soft-tissue injuries before.”
Massey relied on the training staff and the club’s massage therapist. Typically, a Grade 2 calf strain requires 4–8 weeks of recovery. In recent days, Massey made significant progress and won’t have any restrictions moving forward.
“I don’t really think about the calf too much at this point,” Massey said.
Last week, Massey went on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha. He posted a .250 batting average in three games.
The Royals also had him play second base and left field defensively.
“His versatility is going to come into play, whether it be in the outfield, second base, pinch run, defensive replacement,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “You know, he’s obviously going to get starts as well. So overall, it’s good for us chemistry-wise and it’s good for us (on the field) as well.”
In a corresponding move, the Royals sent Nick Loftin to Triple-A Omaha. Loftin posted a .222 batting average in nine at-bats this season.
Nick Loftin #12 and Michael Massey #19 of the Kansas City Royals celebrate a 12-1 win against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on August 27, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. Daniel Bartel Getty Images
Loftin is a utility player for the Royals. He earned a spot on the opening day roster and Quatraro said the decision came down to roster construction.
“He’s been on this, you know, for a couple of years where he’s gone back and forth,” Quatraro said. “By no means do we think he can’t play in the big leagues. It’s just a roster management thing right now, and we want him to play. And we didn’t think he was going to get many at-bats and that was part of the message.”
The Royals believe in Loftin’s defensive ability. For now, Triple-A Omaha allows him a chance to continue building toward a possible return.
“We know he’s improved immensely all over the field defensively,” Quatraro said. “His at-bats were really good this spring. And it just hasn’t materialized yet for him to get regular at-bats.”
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Jaylon Thompson covers the Royals for The Kansas City Star. He previously covered the 2021 World Series and the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Jaylon is a proud alumnus of the University of Georgia.