Kyle

Isbel

Isbel had an under-the-radar solid year in 2025, hitting .255/.301/.353 while playing good outfield defense for the Royals. He did hit just four home runs and steal four bases, so he’s not much of a fantasy asset, but he’s a solid fourth outfield option in Kansas City.

Isbel left Wednesday’s game with left hamstring discomfort, and with just a week left in the season, this injury might mean the end of his 2025 campaign. For Thursday, Mike Yastrzemski will shift to center field, and Adam Frazier will start in left field. This may be the alignment the Royals use for the final games.

Isbel was 0-for-1 prior to being replaced by Tyler Tolbert in center field. The fact that the club is calling it discomfort is an encouraging sign, but he’ll obviously undergo further evaluation and testing to determine the severity of the issue.

Isbel missed two starts with an illness. Drew Waters, who started in center the last two days, is taking a seat today as the Royals are going with a Nick Loftin-Isbel-John Rave outfield.

Isbel will sit out his second straight contest after being scratched from Saturday’s lineup with an illness. It’ll be Drew Waters taking over in center field for the second consecutive game.

There’s something going around Kansas City’s clubhouse at the moment with Isbel becoming the latest player feeling under the weather. It’ll be Drew Waters taking over to patrol center field on Saturday afternoon against the Twins at Target Field.

Isbel tagged White Sox’ right-hander Sean Burke for his 391-foot (106.0 mph EV) solo shot in the sixth inning, pulling the Royals to within a run at 2-1. Isbel also dropped down a sacrifice bunt, popped out and hit into a fielder’s choice in the ballgame. He has had a slow start to the 2025 season offensively, slashing .247/.250/.393 with three long balls and 12 RBI.

Isbel hit one of two homers for the Royals in the eighth inning off Seranthony Dominguez, with the other coming off that of Vinnie Pasquantino. With the homer, Isbel has now gone deep twice in 2025, and he’s hitting a weird .241/.244/.361 over his 28 games with Kansas City.

Isbel had two soft infield singles before connecting on a 401-foot shot off Simeon Woods Richardson in his third at-bat. He’s now 7-for-24 this season. Isbel is pretty well locked in as the Royals’ center fielder against righties, but a nice start offensively here could earn him more at-bats versus lefties.

Isbel had been projected by MLBTradeRumors.com to earn $1.7 million through the arbitration process, so it looks like an equitable arrangement for both parties. The 27-year-old defensive wizard hit just .229/.287/.367 with eight homers, 42 RBI, 11 stolen bases and an 88/27 K/BB ratio over 426 plate appearances with the Royals in 2024. He’s a much better real life player than he is an asset in fantasy leagues.