Dairon Blanco OF KC Mon 3/2/26 6:54 PM
Dairon Blanco
OF KC
The Royals designated Blanco for assignment Monday.
EDGE Analysis
The Royals needed to free up a spot on the 40-man roster for Starling Marte, whose signing was officially announced Monday. Known for his blazing speed, Blanco has stolen 59 bases in the majors despite receiving only 285 plate appearances. The 32-year-old could draw interest on waivers from a team seeking outfield depth.
Dairon Blanco OF KC Sat 2/28/26 10:51 AM
Dairon Blanco
OF KC
Blanco (head) will start in left field and bat ninth in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Rockies.
EDGE Analysis
Blanco made two plate appearances off the bench in Friday's contest -- his first spring action since he was hit in the head by a pitch in Sunday's game. The 32-year-old outfielder will now return to the starting nine and continue his pursuit of a spot on Kansas City's Opening Day bench.
Dairon Blanco OF KC Mon 2/23/26 1:22 PM
Dairon Blanco
OF KC
Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Monday that Blanco has been cleared of a full concussion but will be limited to light activity over the next few days, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Blanco was struck in the helmet by a pitch during Sunday's Cactus League game against the Brewers. He will continue to be evaluated but appears to have avoided a serious injury. The speedy Blanco is competing for a reserve role with the Royals.
Dairon Blanco OF KC Sun 2/22/26 6:21 PM
Dairon Blanco
OF KC
Blanco is being sent for further evaluation after getting struck in the helmet by a pitch during Sunday's Cactus League game against the Brewers, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Blanco was initially able to remain in the game after being checked out by a team trainer, but manager Matt Quatraro noted after the exhibition that Blanco is headed for further evaluation after experiencing dizziness. He can be considered day-to-day until further notice.
Dairon Blanco OF KC Mon 6/2/25 10:47 AM
Dairon Blanco
OF KC
The Royals optioned Blanco to Triple-A Omaha on Monday.
EDGE Analysis
With top prospect Jac Caglianone receiving a call-up to the big leagues and likely to take on an everyday role in the corner outfield, Blanco became an expandable piece for the Royals. Since being activated May 16 following a stint on the injured list, Blanco appeared in just six of the Royals' ensuing 15 games and went 1-for-5 with a double and an RBI while going 1-for-3 in stolen-base attempts.
Dairon Blanco OF KC Fri 5/16/25 3:18 PM
Dairon Blanco
OF KC
The Royals activated Blanco (Achilles) from the 10-day injured list Friday.
EDGE Analysis
Blanco has been shelved for most of the season with right Achilles tendinopathy but is ready to return after playing 12 rehab games. The speedster will likely operate in a reserve role for now, but there's potential for him to move up the depth chart among a Royals outfield lacking talent.
Dairon Blanco OF KC Thu 5/1/25 2:36 AM
Dairon Blanco
OF KC
Blanco (Achilles) went 1-for-3 in his first rehab game Tuesday for Triple-A Omaha.
EDGE Analysis
Blanco received a platelet-rich plasma injection April 4 to alleviate pain in his right Achilles tendon. It's not clear how long he'll be at Triple-A, but he could be activated in the next week or so.
Dairon Blanco OF KC Wed 4/23/25 4:52 PM
Dairon Blanco
OF KC
Blanco (Achilles) went through full pregame activities with the Royals on Tuesday, MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Blanco resumed working out with the big club for the first time since he received a platelet-rich plasma injection April 4 to alleviate pain in his right Achilles tendon. The outfielder is facing an unclear timeline for his return and will likely have to complete a minor-league rehab assignment before being activated from the 10-day injured list.
Dairon Blanco OF KC Fri 4/4/25 6:04 PM
Dairon Blanco
OF KC
Blanco (Achilles) received a platelet-rich plasma injection Friday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Blanco will be sidelined from all activity for the next 3-to-5 days, and he will then be re-evaluated by the Royals' medical staff. This virtually eliminates the possibility of a minimum-length IL stay for the 31-year-old outfielder. A return timetable may emerge once he's cleared to resume baseball activities.
Dairon Blanco OF KC Mon 3/31/25 12:12 PM
Dairon Blanco
OF KC
The Royals placed Blanco on the 10-day injured list Monday due to right Achilles tendinopathy.
EDGE Analysis
Despite not earning regular playing time at any point during the 2024 season, Blanco had some usefulness in deeper mixed leagues and AL-only leagues after accruing 31 stolen bases in just 131 plate appearances. Though Blanco was hampered by the Achilles issue for much of spring training, he made enough progress to win a spot on the Royals' Opening Day roster. Despite going 2-for-2 on steal attempts in the Royals' season-opening series with the Guardians, Blanco apparently hasn't fully moved past the injury, so he'll be given some time off to heal. Kansas City will replace him on the 26-man active roster with infielder/outfielder Tyler Tolbert, another speed merchant who could see ample use off the bench as a pinch runner.