Massey, 28, was sidelined with a left calf strain. He dealt with the injury in spring training and didn\u2019t travel when the club broke camp in Surprise, Arizona.<\/p>\n
\u201cI mean, honestly, just spring training, it felt a little tight,\u201d Massey said. \u201cCame 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Massey continued his rehab<\/a> and played in minor-league spring games. At the time, Massey needed to demonstrate the ability to run at full speed.<\/p>\n \u201cFirst time I\u2019ve had a calf (strain),\u201d Massey said. \u201cSo, obviously, just kind of new territory. But … I\u2019ve been through some soft-tissue injuries before.\u201d<\/p>\n Massey relied on the training staff and the club\u2019s massage therapist. Typically, a Grade 2 calf strain requires 4\u20138 weeks of recovery. In recent days, Massey made significant progress and won\u2019t have any restrictions moving forward.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t really think about the calf too much at this point,\u201d Massey said.<\/p>\n Last week, Massey went on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha. He posted a .250 batting average in three games.<\/p>\n The Royals also had him play second base and left field defensively.<\/p>\n \u201cHis versatility is going to come into play, whether it be in the outfield, second base, pinch run, defensive replacement,\u201d Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. \u201cYou know, he\u2019s obviously going to get starts as well. So overall, it\u2019s good for us chemistry-wise and it\u2019s good for us (on the field) as well.\u201d<\/p>\n In a corresponding move, the Royals sent Nick Loftin to Triple-A Omaha. Loftin posted a .222 batting average<\/a> in nine at-bats this season.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s been on this, you know, for a couple of years where he\u2019s gone back and forth,\u201d Quatraro said. \u201cBy no means do we think he can\u2019t play in the big leagues. It\u2019s just a roster management thing right now, and we want him to play. And we didn\u2019t think he was going to get many at-bats and that was part of the message.\u201d<\/p>\n The Royals believe in Loftin\u2019s defensive ability. For now, Triple-A Omaha allows him a chance to continue building toward a possible return.<\/p>\n \u201cWe know he\u2019s improved immensely all over the field defensively,\u201d Quatraro said. \u201cHis at-bats were really good this spring. And it just hasn\u2019t materialized yet for him to get regular at-bats.\u201d<\/p>\n Related Stories from Kansas City Star<\/p>\n![\"Nick](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2232443601.jpg\" "\\"GettyImages-2232443601.jpg\\"")
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 <\/p>\n