Drew

Waters

Waters is off the roster with MJ Melendez (ankle) returning from the injured list from a two-week absence. Waters is a former top prospect who has become organizational depth. It happens.

It looks to be nothing more than a routine night off for the 32-year-old slugger. Drew Waters will draw a rare start in his place in right field on Wednesday evening and will bat seventh against Diamondbacks’ right-hander Ryne Nelson.

Fermin has been seeing regular action at designated hitter when he hasn’t been behind the plate, so it’s strange to see the 29-year-old getting a day off. Adam Frazier will function as the team’s designated hitter on Saturday against Jonathan Cannon and the White Sox, which will allow Drew Waters to get a start in left field.

It’s nice to see that Waters was promoted from Triple-A Omaha to start the second half of the season, but it looks like he’s going to have to fight his way into the lineup. The Royals will use an outfield of Adam Frazier, Hunter Renfroe and Kyle Isbel against White Sox’ right-hander Chris Flexen on Friday evening in Kansas City.

Waters has been summoned to replace an injured MJ Melendez (ankle) on Kansas City’s active roster when they kick off the second half on Friday against the White Sox. The 25-year-old former top prospect got into only three contests earlier this year for the Royals and holds an .857 OPS with 10 homers and 11 steals in 287 plate appearances this season for Triple-A Omaha.

Waters lasted a week with the Royals and picked up just one hit in his eight at-bats. He’ll have a chance to rejoin Kansas City this summer, but in a role that provides no fantasy value. Waters will be replaced on the roster by reliever Carlos Hernández.

Waters will take the roster spot of Hunter Renfroe with Renfroe on the injured list with a fractured left big toe. Waters has shown some power/speed potential in his short MLB career, but it comes with a lot of strikeouts. He’ll likely split time in right field with Dairon Blanco while he’s with the Royals.

Renfroe likely will land on the IL, though this may not be a long absence if it’s just a hairline fracture. Unfortunately, this comes just as Renfroe had started to get it together; he’d hit .326 with three homers in his last 15 games to raise his OPS from .478 to .638. The Royals could call up Drew Waters and give him a look in right field. Adam Frazier and Dairon Blanco could also see additional time.

There simply isn’t a spot for Waters with Kyle Isbel, Nelson Velázquez and MJ Melendez occupying Kansas City’s outfield spots in addition to Adam Frazier, Garrett Hampson and Dairon Blanco on the bench as reserves. Nola will open the season back in the minors as emergency catching depth.

Waters opened the scoring in the contest, tagging left-hander Cody Bradford for his solo shot in the second inning. The 25-year-old outfielder currently looks to be on the fringe of the team’s Opening Day roster, so it’s nice to see him get off to a good start in Cactus League competition. He’ll be battling with Dairon Blanco and Kyle Isbel for playing time in center field.