According to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM, Burnes is expected to make his return on Tuesday against the Kansas City Royals. Following an extensive rehabilitation process, the right-handed ace is set to rejoin the starting rotation and bolster Arizona’s playoff bid.

Burnes has been sidelined since June 2025 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Following a recovery process that spanned more than a year, he is finally poised to rejoin the active roster.

The veteran starter’s return comes at a pivotal moment for Arizona, which is also navigating Ketel Marte’s ongoing status while manager Torey Lovullo continues to advocate for his second baseman’s return to the lineup.

Burnes’ rehab progress

Ahead of his targeted return against Kansas City reported by Gambadoro, Burnes has made significant strides throughout his minor league rehab assignment, which began on August 29 with Triple-A Reno.

He kicked off his rehab stint with the Reno Aces by tossing two scoreless innings before following up with a simulated game to build up his pitch count and stamina.

Potential impact on the rotation

While it may be unrealistic to expect peak dominance immediately after missing more than a full calendar year of big-league action, Burnes still gives Arizona a crucial boost down the stretch.

With key rotation members like Zac Gallen and Ryne Nelson battling late-season injuries and workload constraints, Burnes provides an elite, high-leverage arm. Even on a pitch count early on, his presence will significantly ease the burden on an overworked bullpen.

Per Anne Rogers of MLB.com, “The free agent-to-be ends his time in Kansas City with a 3.71 ERA across three seasons.” Reflecting his value as a reliable depth piece, the New York Yankees claimed him with sights on the playoffs.

John Schreiber is a solid, highly specialized middle-relief option, but he is not an elite high-leverage arm. His effectiveness depends heavily on who he is facing due to extreme, polarized platoon splits.

Schreiber’s 2026 stats

Across 55 appearances this season, his surface numbers look quite respectable, though under-the-hood metrics suggest he’s benefited from some good fortune. That could perfectly be the reason of why he ended up on waivers.

• ERA: 3.65
• WHIP: 1.28
• Innings Pitched: 49.1
• Strikeouts: 36
• Expected Metrics: His 4.87 FIP and 4.54 SIERA indicate he has outpitched his true performance, largely due to a low .248 BABIP. His strikeout rate (17.7%) has dropped to a career low

Why is Schreiber looked at as a specialist?

Schreiber drops down into a true sidearm slot, making his pitches incredibly deceptive to right-handed hitters but, at the same time, highly vulnerable to lefties. Hence, it all depends on who the Yankees face.

With Skubal on the Dodgers, they could be in the mix for the best MLB rotation ever. Now, they add a very talented left-hander pitcher with All-Star potential in Bubic, to give them long-term insurance and depth to an injury-depleted rotation. The Royals let one good player go, as reported by Jeff Passan of ESPN.

Bubic is still recovering from an injury, but he brings late-season depth for this team without sacrificing quality. Because the Dodgers have an embarrassment of riches when healthy, Bubic was acquired primarily as a safety net. His career splits show he is highly effective as a reliever (2.97 ERA), meaning manager Dave Roberts can easily transition him into a bullpen, though he can be a starter too.

What does Bubic bring to the table?

Bubic is a leftie that brings a high strikeout rate. He can also be a multi-inning reliever or a starter if needed. Once he recovers from the left elbow soreness and left shoulder discomfort, he can be immediately of great use for the Dodgers.

In 2026, he has a 3-2 record and has 51 strikeouts in 50 1/3 innings. Bubic brings an elite changeup, but his sweeper has improved heavily and also has an efficient four-seam fastball. He is way more than a one-trick pony.

It’s championship-or-bust for the Dodgers

Not only do the Dodgers have the best pitching staff in the MLB, it is by a mile. Add that to their offensive prowess, and there’s really no excuse for them to not win a championship.

Add the fact that they have two straight World Series, so they know how to play do-or-die instances too. If the Dodgers don’t win, it is a sports and economic catastrophe for the team.

According to SNY, the Yankees set a new franchise milestone by having all nine starting hitters record at least two hits in a single game, marking the first time the Bronx Bombers have ever achieved the feat.

Let’s break down the individual performances from Tuesday’s historic night in Kansas City:

Alongside the main starters, Jose Caballero logged one at-bat but came up empty, making him the only Yankee on the night not to join the hit parade. Beyond Grisham’s massive night, Amed Rosario was another major catalyst against the Royals, proving once again that Kauffman Stadium tends to bring out the absolute best in his bat.

A closer look at Grisham’s performance so far this season

In addition to his stellar performance on Tuesday night, Grisham has developed into a reliable option for a Yankees squad currently riding a strong 33-22 regular-season record.

Serving as a frequent contributor with 174 at-bats under his belt this season, Grisham has slugged seven home runs, driven in 29 RBIs, and swiped two bases. While his .201 batting average leaves room for improvement, manager Aaron Boone clearly values his timely power as the club keeps its focus locked on securing a postseason berth.

Those slugging metrics have allowed Grisham to step up as a vital complementary piece in the batting order. While superstar Aaron Judge continues to carry the heavy lifting, Grisham’s ability to provide depth in the temporary absence of the injured Giancarlo Stanton gives the Yankees the exact type of offensive insurance they need.

“I did see all the hits on the board,” Boone said afterward, according to ESPN. “And I was like, ‘Man, you don’t see that very often.’” The Yankees finished with 24 hits and six home runs, marking their highest hit total since 2011.

More impressively, every player in New York’s starting lineup recorded at least two hits, the first time that has happened in franchise history despite generations of legendary Yankees lineups, all coming shortly after Boone recently shared a concerning injury update on Max Fried.

Yankees lineup overwhelms Royals pitching staff

The offensive outburst started early when Cody Bellinger launched a two-run homer in the first inning before Amed Rosario followed with a towering two-run shot of his own. New York never slowed down from there, continuously applying pressure against Kansas City’s bullpen-day approach.

Rosario finished with four hits and two home runs, while Trent Grisham, Ben Rice, Anthony Volpe, and Austin Wells each collected three hits. Aaron Judge added an RBI double, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. capped the night with a home run in the eighth inning.

The Yankees now lead Major League Baseball with 82 home runs this season, further establishing themselves as one of the league’s most dangerous offenses.

Boone praises complete team performance

Although the Royals struggled badly on the mound, Boone still acknowledged how rare it is for an entire lineup to contribute at such a high level in one game. Kansas City allowed 24 hits, tied for the fourth-most surrendered in franchise history, while New York recorded its highest road hit total since 1974.

The Yankees also became the first team in the majors this season to hit six home runs in a single game. The historic night provided another reminder of the offensive depth Boone’s club possesses when the lineup is clicking from top to bottom.

The comments from Witt Jr. were shared by Jaylon Thompson on X: “Yeah it s—-. But if you’re the worst team in baseball, you might deserve to get booed every once in a while. It should motivate us to get better. Just motivate us to go out there and lay it all on the field each and every night.”

It was a brutally honest assessment from Witt Jr., who understands the Royals are now stuck in a deep 7-16 hole and in urgent need of a turnaround. The situation could become even more complicated with Salvador Perez expected to be away from catching duties for a few days, further testing the team’s depth.

Bobby Witt Jr. and the Royals’ difficult situation

Witt Jr. has done everything he can to help his team improve. He is currently hitting .287, making him one of the most productive bats in the lineup, but he admitted that when the season began, he never imagined the Royals would be in such a difficult spot.

“You look back two months ago, month ago, no one in here would believe we’re technically the worst team in baseball. We believe in each and every one in here. … It’s frustrating…,” Witt Jr. said. He has also recorded 25 hits so far this MLB season, matching Maikel Garcia as one of the team’s most productive hitters.

The Royals’ situation is fairly straightforward. They sit in last place in the AL Central, with more losses than the Chicago White Sox. Still, the season remains relatively young, and with the Cleveland Guardians leading the division at 13-11 and the Detroit Tigers close behind at 12-11, the outlook is not entirely out of reach.

The update came from Joel Goldberg on X: “Salvador Perez just spoke with the media. He was in a great mood. Talked with Matt Quatraro this morning. Been dealing with a sore hip so expects to DH more in next few days. Didn’t feel like he needed a ‘mental breather’ but understands he can’t play 162. Ready to move forward.”

Goldberg also noted that one of the reasons Elias Diaz was called up to handle catching duties is because Pérez has been dealing with hip discomfort, which will likely keep him away from behind the plate for a few days. For now, he has not been placed on the injured list and remains available on the depth chart.

What happens if Pérez can’t return behind the plate?

If Pérez is unable to resume catching duties, even though nothing serious has been reported regarding his hip, the Kansas City Royals do have options. In addition to Díaz, the team can turn to Carter Jensen, giving them multiple alternatives at the position if needed.

Quatraro’s initial assessment of Pérez’s performance was not exaggerated. The veteran has struggled to start the MLB season, and in Sunday’s April 19 game against the New York Yankees, where he served as DH, he went hitless in four at-bats and struck out twice. He has not recorded a hit since April 16 and is currently batting .152.

Last season also began slowly for Pérez. Through his first 21 games of 2025, he posted a .203 average with two home runs. While he has one more home run at this point in 2026, his overall production has dipped, with fewer hits and RBIs compared to the same stretch last year.

“I don’t need a mental breather,” Pérez responded on social media, pushing back on Quatraro’s earlier comments before the game: “…Salvy’s been struggling a little bit. Just try to give him a little mental breather,” the manager said about giving his catcher the day off.

The Kansas City Royals went on to lose that Game 2 to the Yankees, meaning they dropped the series, though Game 3 still offers a chance to salvage some pride. They currently sit at 7-14, and Quatraro’s assessment of Pérez isn’t off, he’s hitting just .160.

Just how much is Pérez struggling?

Pérez is a catcher, and while batting average isn’t always the primary metric at that position, he’s typically a .250+ hitter with a .263 career average. So far in 2026, he’s managed just 12 hits in 75 at-bats, along with two extra-base hits and three home runs, production that hasn’t done much to help Kansas City climb out of its current hole.

Among the team’s regular starters, Pérez has been the least productive at the plate. Vinnie Pasquantino is next at .165, followed by second baseman Jonathan India at .167, a clear sign the infield hasn’t contributed much offensively.

The Royals aren’t alone in their struggles. While they sit at 7-14, teams like the Chicago Cubs are in a similar position, while the division-leading Cleveland Guardians hold a 12-10 record. The Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers are close behind with just one fewer win each.

According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the Royals agreed to a Major League deal with outfielder Starling Marte, who played for the Mets for the last four seasons.

An All-Star in 2016 and 2022, Marte has put together a stellar MLB career. Now, at 37 years old, he will join forces with elite shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. with the hopes of elevating the Royals.

Does Marte have something left in the tank?

His role has shifted from a premier outfielder to more of a part-time yet valuable player. He is also a reliable designated-hitter, and is seen as a veteran leader in the locker room.

In 2025, he batted .270 with nine home runs, 34 RBIs, and a .745 OPS with the Mets, where he was mostly a DH. The fact is Marte is no longer an All-Star caliber player, but he is a very solid option for a team like the Royals.

He is a role player, Bobby Witt Jr. is the absolute star

The Royals shouldn’t expect Marte to go ballistic. That’s what Bobby Witt Jr. is there for. The Royals are seen as a contender to witn the 2026 AL Central. The team also has a solid rotation, and with Marte, they’re adding depth in their batting, which is what they need.

Dominican journalist Yancen Pujols tweeted that the Royals and Marte “have been talking” about a potential major league deal, later adding that negotiations were “advancing.” Jon Heyman of the New York Post confirmed the discussions, though nothing is finalized yet.

Marte, 37, remains a valuable offensive contributor despite age-related declines in speed. Last season, he appeared in 98 games and posted a .270/.335/.410 slash line, mainly excelling against left-handed pitching.

What Marte brings to Kansas City

Though Marte has two Gold Gloves, he likely won’t play a full-time defensive role if he joins the Royals. Kauffman Stadium’s spacious outfield and Marte’s 28th percentile sprint speed suggest his primary value would come as a designated hitter or pinch-hitter.

His presence could complement Kansas City captain Salvador Perez and provide guidance for younger position players such as Vinnie Pasquantino, Jac Caglianone, and Carter Jensen.

Potential role and impact

If the deal is completed, Marte would add depth to the Royals’ lineup and provide a veteran presence in critical situations. While the team doesn’t have a permanent designated hitter, Marte could rotate in alongside other options, contributing both offensively and as a leader for the clubhouse.

Philadelphia lost several key contributors, including Ranger Suarez, Harrison Bader, and Nick Castellanos, though they added Adolis Garcia, a two-time All-Star. Still, a right-handed-hitting outfielder remained on the Phillies’ radar as a potential upgrade for their lineup.

Bleacher Report’s Zachary Rymer identified Randal Grichuk of the Kansas City Royals as a “best fit” for Philadelphia. “He had a rough one in 2025, with his OPS falling 201 points from where it had been in 2024. Yet his exit velocity and hard-hit rate actually went up, and he still had his longstanding knack for pulling the ball in the air. Those strengths would play nicely at Citizens Bank Park, where Grichuk would supplant Johan Rojas as the primary platoon partner for Brandon Marsh and Justin Crawford,” Rymer wrote.

Could Grichuk provide the Phillies with veteran outfield depth?

Though 34 and coming off a challenging season, Grichuk remains capable of contributing. In 2024, he slashed .291/.348/.528 with 12 home runs and 46 RBIs, showing that his ability to hit for power and drive the ball remains intact. Philadelphia could benefit from his experience and right-handed bat in a platoon setup.

Will the move help the Phillies contend in 2026?

Adding Grichuk would provide the Phillies with flexibility and additional firepower in their lineup, particularly at Citizens Bank Park. His presence could complement existing stars and stabilize the outfield rotation as the team looks to improve on last year’s postseason run.