In a somewhat unsurprising move, the Kansas City Royals have announced that Nick Loftin has been optioned to Triple-A (Omaha). A corresponding move wasn’t announced, but with Michael Massey having a ton of success in his rehab assignment, you have to imagine that’s the move that will follow tomorrow.
A hot spring training and Massey’s injury allowed Loftin to make the Opening Day roster. Loftin had flashes of success in his short stint with the big league club, showcasing a decent .276 batting average and .371 on-base percentage. He provided the Royals with a ton of versatility defensively, playing games at third base, first base, and second base. Ultimately, Loftin did enough during his time with the Royals, but with guys like Adam Frazier on the roster who don’t have a minor league option, it made the most sense to send Loftin down to Omaha so he can get everyday playing time. There wasn’t really another option present.
The expectation is Michael Massey will return to the big league club and slide right into the starting second base role, which he held most of 2023. Massey has been on a tear in his rehab stint, slashing .382/.417/.706 with five doubles, two home runs, and 10 RBI in eight games between AA and AAA. His bat and gold glove defense will be a warm welcome to the Royals, who have been mainly going with a platoon of Adam Frazier and Nick Loftin at second. Massey struggled with the bat for most of the year in 2023 but turned it on in the later part of the second half of the season.
