Isbel was reinstated from the paternity list Friday.

EDGE Analysis

After spending three games away from the team to spend time with his family, the 26-year-old outfielder is now back with the Royals. Nick Pratto was optioned to Triple-A Omaha as a corresponding move.

Isbel was placed on the paternity list Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Isbel could be away from the team for up to three games as he heads home to spend time with his expanding family. In his place, Nick Pratto was called up from Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday.

Isbel is slashing .438/.500/.563 through 13 Cactus League games.

EDGE Analysis

Isbel has two stolen bases, four doubles, five RBI and six runs scored. Drew Waters' oblique injury opened the door for Isbel to earn a starting role to begin 2023, and he's run with the opportunity in spring. He could be a late-round source of speed in fantasy drafts.

Isbel is expected to be the Royals' Opening Day center fielder following the injury to Drew Waters (oblique), Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Isbel had seemed likely to play left field while Waters handled center, but now the former is needed in the middle of the diamond with the latter out six weeks. Edward Olivares, Nate Eaton and Samad Taylor should now see more action in the corner outfield spots, with Franmil Reyes also possibly in the mix. Isbel sports a disappointing .642 OPS so far in the big leagues but has showed some pop and speed in the minors.

Isbel went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Wednesday's loss to Cleveland.

EDGE Analysis

In the final game of the season, Isbel took a 1-0 cutter from Aaron Civale in the fifth inning over the fence in right field for his fifth long ball of 2022. The 25-year-old received sporadic at-bats over the last couple of weeks of the season, likely due to his undesirable .211/.264/.340 slash line on the season. The home run to close out the year was a good sign for Isbel, however, and he will look to carry that momentum into the offseason.

Isbel went 1-for-4 with a grand slam, a walk and two total runs scored in Friday's win over the Tigers.

EDGE Analysis

Isbel scored Nick Pratto, Michael Taylor and Ryan O'Hearn on his fifth-inning grand slam. Isbel also came around to score on a seventh-inning double from Nate Eaton. The grand slam was Isbel's fourth homer of the season and his first since Aug. 6. The outfielder had suffered a three-game hitless streak to end August, but has gone 3-for-7 in his last two games, raising his batting average from .210 to .217 in the process.

Isbel went 0-for-1 with two walks, a stolen base and a run scored in Sunday's 15-7 win over the Padres.

EDGE Analysis

Brent Rooker got the start in left field, but Isbel was effective after entering as a defensive replacement in the sixth inning. Isbel has his a meager .224 with one home run, four steals, seven RBI and 11 runs scored in August. The speedy 25-year-old is up to nine steals with three homers, 20 RBI and 25 runs scored through 217 plate appearances, though he's slashed just .214/.259/.338. He'll likely continue to serve as outfield depth, competing with MJ Melendez and Drew Waters for playing time in the corner outfield while also occasionally allowing Michael Taylor some rest.

Isbel went 1-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Diamondbacks.

EDGE Analysis

Isbel has been in contention for playing time around the outfield, but the arrival of Drew Waters in the majors could create competition between the two younger players. In August, Isbel has gone 10-for-44 (.227) with three steals, a home run, two triples and three doubles across 19 games. He's slashing just .214/.254/.342 with three homers, eight steals, 20 RBI and 24 runs scored across 210 plate appearances overall. The lefty-hitting Isbel should remain in a part-time role as the Royals evaluate many young options for their 2023 roster construction.

Isbel is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

The lefty-hitting Isbel is on the bench against a right-hander (Michael Kopech) after going 0-for-4 with a walk and a run scored while starting in the final two games of the Royals' weekend series in Tampa Bay. Though the 49-74 Royals are in evaluation mode as the season winds down, Isbel still looks to be stuck in a part-time role while MJ Melendez, Michael Taylor and Hunter Dozier profile as the team's primary outfielders.

Isbel isn't in the lineup Wednesday against Minnesota.

EDGE Analysis

Isbel is getting a day off after he went 1-for-7 with an RBI, a steal and a strikeout over the last three games. Nate Eaton will start in left field and bat eighth.