The Royals optioned Waters to Triple-A Omaha on Friday.
Waters has been in a slump at the plate recently, going 1-for-19 since June 24. His struggles will ultimately cost him his place on the active roster and open up playing time in the outfield for Nick Loftin, John Rave and Mark Canha. Luke Maile was selected from Omaha to fill the open roster spot.
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Royals' Drew Waters: Sitting after three straight starts
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Waters is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays.
Jac Caglianone and Kyle Isbel appear to be locked into near-everyday roles in right field and center field, respectively, but left field still looks to be more of a revolving door for Kansas City. Waters had been included in the lineup in the last three games and started in left field in the most recent two contests, but he'll give way to John Rave on Wednesday. Dating back to the start of June, Waters has slashed just .188/.250/.188 with one stolen base, four runs and one RBI over a stretch of 19 games.
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Royals' Drew Waters: Hitting bench again Wednesday
Rotowire
Waters is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rangers.
Waters is batting just .200/.243/.200 with a 29.7 percent strikeout rate since the beginning of June and appears to be fading into a part-time role. He'll hit the bench Wednesday for the fourth time in six contests.
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Royals' Drew Waters: Taking seat Sunday
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Waters is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Athletics.
Waters is on the bench for the third time in four games and could be slipping out of a starting job after slashing .167/.219/.167 in 11 contests this month. Mark Canha will spell Waters in left field Sunday, but Nick Loftin -- who is filling in at second base for Jonathan India (shoulder) on Sunday -- could end up being the primary replacement for Waters.
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Royals' Drew Waters: Sitting again
Rotowire
Waters is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Athletics.
Waters is absent from the starting nine for a second consecutive game as Nick Loftin takes over in left field. Waters is 5-for-25 (.200) with three runs scored and a stolen base in June.
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Royals' Drew Waters: Idle Thursday
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Waters isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Yankees.
Waters will take a seat for Thursday's series finale after going 1-for-6 with three strikeouts through the first two games. His absence will allow Nick Loftin to pick up a start in left field while batting seventh.
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Royals' Drew Waters: Heading to bench Sunday
Rotowire
Waters is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox.
Waters started the first two games of the series and will take a seat Sunday after going 2-for-6 with two strikeouts and a caught stealing. John Rave will start in left field and bat eighth in the series finale.
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Royals' Drew Waters: Absent from lineup
Rotowire
Waters isn't part of the starting nine for Monday's game against the Reds.
Waters is slated to see more action in right field due to the departures of Hunter Renfroe and Cavan Biggio, but he won't draw the start Monday. The recently recalled John Rave will make his MLB debut and man right field in place of Waters.
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Royals' Drew Waters: Set for increased time in RF
Rotowire
Waters started in right field and went 0-for-4 in Friday's 3-1 loss to Minnesota. He's expected to get the most playing time among a rotation in right field after Hunter Renfroe was designated for assignment, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Despite Friday's performance, Waters has emerged as one of the better options in Kansas City's underperforming outfield. He's hitting .271 with a .702 OPS. Nick Loftin, Mark Canha and Cavan Biggio could also figure into the mix in right field.
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Royals' Drew Waters: Out of Sunday's starting nine
Rotowire
Waters is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.
The switch-hitting outfielder went 2-for-10 with three strikeouts while starting the previous three games, but he'll hit the bench for Sunday's series finale versus St. Louis. Hunter Renfroe will take over in right field for Waters against lefty Matthew Liberatore.
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Royals' Drew Waters: Out of Royals' lineup
Rotowire
Water is absent from the lineup for Tuesday's game in Houston.
It's a routine day off for Waters, who has been a regular over the past month while bouncing around to all three outfield spots. The Royals are going with Mark Canha, Kyle Isbel and Hunter Renfroe in the outfield Tuesday.
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Royals' Drew Waters: Idle Saturday
Rotowire
Waters is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against Baltimore.
Waters' 0-for-3 performance Friday put an end to his brief four-game hitting streak, and he'll now get a chance to rest against Patrick Corbin and the Rangers. Hunter Renfroe will fill the resulting void in right field and bat sixth.
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Royals' Drew Waters: In mix for backup role
Rotowire
Waters is in the mix for an outfield bench role along with Nick Pratto, Dairon Blanco (Achilles) and Joey Wiemer, MLB.com reports. He's hitting .167 (2-for-12) this spring.
Blanco is likely the favorite but he's been sidelined this spring with an Achilles injury. The Royals could also decide to keep an extra infielder who can play outfield if needed. Waters hit .293 with 13 home runs, 20 stolen bases and a .877 OPS at Triple-A last season. However, he's never been able to translate his intriguing power-speed mix to success in the majors. As a switch hitter and plus fielder, Waters could be the best bench option if Blanco is out.
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Royals' Drew Waters: Doesn't make Opening Day roster
Rotowire
The Royals optioned Waters to Triple-A Omaha on Friday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Waters had a solid spring, but Kyle Isbel was better and already had the perceived leg up for the center field job due to his defense. The switch-hitting Waters should still spend ample time in the majors this season but will begin the year at Omaha.
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Royals' Drew Waters: No lock to make big-league roster
Rotowire
Waters could be assigned to Triple-A Omaha if he doesn't win a starting job in spring training, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Waters' development is still important, and consistent at-bats with Omaha would serve him better than acting as a fourth outfielder. The addition of Hunter Renfroe took Waters' starting job away, and Kyle Isbel's defense has made him the favorite for center field. If Waters ends up in the minors to begin 2024, Dairon Blanco is projected to be the Royals' fourth outfielder.
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Royals' Drew Waters: Out with quad injury
Rotowire
Waters (quad) is not in Sunday's lineup against the Yankees.
He exited Saturday's game with left quadriceps tightness, so it's no surprise to see Waters out of the lineup for the final game of the regular season. Dairon Blanco will start in center field and hit seventh.
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Royals' Drew Waters: Exits with quad injury
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Waters was removed from Saturday's game against the Yankees with left quadriceps tightness, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Waters was replaced in the fourth inning by Dairon Blanco. It's unclear whether Waters will be available for Sunday's season finale.
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Royals' Drew Waters: Sitting versus lefty
Rotowire
Waters is not in the lineup Friday against the Yankees.
Kyle Isbel will start in center field and bat ninth with left-hander Carlos Rodon toeing the slab for New York. The switch-hitting Waters has slashed just .208/.279/.312 in 86 plate appearances versus lefties this season.
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Royals' Drew Waters: Takes seat Tuesday
Rotowire
Waters is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Guardians.
Waters went 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI versus Cleveland on Monday but has a .256/.430/.326 slash line and 30 percent strikeout rate through 15 games in September. Kyle Isbel will handle center field and bat ninth Tuesday.
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Royals' Drew Waters: Not in starting lineup
Rotowire
Waters will be on the bench Saturday against Houston.
Waters has struggled to a .203/.306/.297 slash line over his last 25 games, though he does at least have six steals over that stretch. Dairon Blanco will get the start in right field Saturday.
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