Bobby Witt is back, Matt Strahm a Royal no more

· Yahoo Sports

Jul 17, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (7) throws the ball to first base for an out in the eighth inning against the San Diego Padres at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Royals announced a pair of roster moves this afternoon:

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I think no one will be surprised to see Bobby Witt Jr. back and subsequently that Andrew Velazquez is no longer needed and therefore gets a DFA. Bobby went on the IL two weeks ago and was likely to return quickly based on the information we had been given.

Matt Strahm getting hit with a DFA is significantly less expected. He has been very bad, so it was not unexpected based on play, but he was also supposed to have been a big acquisition in the offseason and he is a veteran being paid a lot relative to everyone else in the bullpen. Kansas City acquired Strahm by trading Jonathan Bowlan to Philadelphia in December. Bowlan has gone on to have a nice season for the Phillies while Strahm has been a disaster for the Royals. This is going to go down as one of the worst trades in Royals history. For the front office to admit defeat and cut their losses is nice. Not having to watch Matt Strahm come into games the rest of the year is probably nicer after the way it has gone for him in 2026.

Strahm leaving opens up a spot and we will see Jose Cuas again. He did just fine for the Royals earlier in the season in a short stint.

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