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.
Dairon Blanco OF KC Wed 3/26/25 12:42 AM
Dairon Blanco
OF KC
Blanco has won a spot on the 26-man roster as a reserve outfielder, MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Blanco missed time early in spring training due to right Achilles tightness, but was healthy the past two weeks. He hit .333 (7-for-21) with three stolen bases this spring. He'll work as a reserve for all three out outfield positions and be used as a pinch runner. He could be a good source of stolen bases if he can get enough playing time.
Dairon Blanco OF KC Wed 3/12/25 11:28 AM
Dairon Blanco
OF KC
Blanco (Achilles) went 0-for-1 and played three innings in center field in Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Diamondbacks in Cactus League play.
EDGE Analysis
After making it out of a minor-league game Sunday no worse for the wear, Blanco returned to action in the Cactus League on Tuesday for the first time since Feb. 23. He was scratched from the spring lineup a day later due to right Achilles tightness and was limited for about a week before ramping back up. While he'll still need to get some more at-bats in during the spring to keep himself available as an option for Opening Day, Blanco should have an inside track for a bench role with Kansas City. Blanco has the ability to defend all three outfield spots and held his own at the dish last season (.700 OPS in 131 plate appearances) while going 31-for-38 in stolen-base attempts.
Dairon Blanco OF KC Sun 3/9/25 1:34 PM
Dairon Blanco
OF KC
Blanco (Achilles) is scheduled to play three innings in a minor-league game Sunday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Blanco has been out of action since Feb. 24 due to right Achilles tendinitis, but he appears to be close to full health. Assuming he makes it through Sunday's contest without any setbacks, Blanco could make his return to the Cactus League lineup within the next few days. The 31-year-old is vying for a backup outfield spot on the Royals' Opening Day roster.
Dairon Blanco OF KC Tue 2/25/25 12:34 PM
Dairon Blanco
OF KC
Blanco (Achilles) will undergo an MRI on Tuesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Blanco was scratched from the lineup Monday against the Athletics. His X-rays came back negative, but he'll have more tests before being cleared to return. Blanco is competing for a reserve outfielder gig this spring after slashing .258/.308/.392 with four home runs and 13 RBI across 132 regular-season plate appearances for the Royals in 2024.