Lopez went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a stolen base in Friday's 8-1 loss to the Blue Jays.

EDGE Analysis

A depleted Kansas City lineup couldn't get much going as a group, but Lopez was able to produce a little fantasy value. The steal was only his sixth of the season and his first since June 20, snapping a 20-game drought. Lopez is showing signs of regaining last year's form at the plate -- he's batting .333 (10-for-30) over his last 10 games.

Lopez will sit Friday versus the Guardians.

EDGE Analysis

Lopez will get a day off after he went 4-for-16 with a double, two RBI and a run scored in the series against Houston. Emmanuel Rivera will take over at third base and bat ninth in the series opener Friday.

Lopez went 4-for-4 with an RBI in Sunday's 7-4 win over the Tigers.

EDGE Analysis

Unsurprisingly, the light-hitting infielder contributed four singles Sunday, including one that knocked in Edward Olivares for an insurance run in the ninth inning. Lopez has hit fairly well over his last 14 games, going 14-for-43 (.326) in that span. He's up to a .232/.295/.281 slash line for the season, and he's added seven RBI, 24 runs scored and five stolen bases. While he's maintained a strong-side platoon role at third base lately, Lopez is almost exclusively hitting at the bottom of the order and adds almost nothing in the power categories.

Lopez will sit against lefty Martin Perez and the Rangers on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Lopez had close to an everyday role for much of the year, but it looks as though he's slipped into a platoon in recent weeks. His off day Monday means he's now been on the bench against the last five lefties the Royals have faced. Whit Merrifield will be the second baseman Monday, with Emmanuel Rivera starting at third.

Lopez is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the A's.

EDGE Analysis

Lopez finds himself on the bench for the fourth time in the past six games. Each absence, including Saturday versus Jared Koenig, has come against a left-handed pitcher. Hunter Dozier will shift to the hot corner while MJ Melendez rests his legs as the designated hitter.

Lopez will sit Friday against Oakland, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lopez finds himself on the bench for the third time in five games. All three absences, including Friday's game against Cole Irvin, have come against lefties, so it looks like he may be slipping into the strong side of a platoon. Whit Merrifield will be the second baseman Friday while Emmanuel Rivera starts at third.

Lopez will sit for the second time in three games Tuesday against the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Lopez's .300 average and 22 steals last season put him on the fantasy map, but he hasn't looked like the same guy so far this year. He's hitting just .220, while his five steals put him on pace for a modest 12. Emmanuel Rivera will start at third base Tuesday against the left-handed Reid Detmers.

Lopez went 2-for-4 with an RBI double and a stolen base in Monday's 6-2 win over the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Lopez recorded his first steal since May 27 in this contest. He's hit safely in four of his last six games, going 6-for-19 (.316) in that span, though he's started to slip into more of a utility role in the Royals' infield of late. The light-hitting 27-year-old has a .220/.288/.260 slash line with no home runs, six RBI, five stolen bases, 21 runs scored and eight doubles through 63 contests overall. He started at third base for the third time in six games, and it appears he'll take the strong side of a platoon with Emmanuel Rivera at the hot corner. Lopez also has experience at second base and shortstop, but Whit Merrifield and Bobby Witt have commanded starting roles at those positions.

Lopez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Athletics.

EDGE Analysis

Lopez will take a seat for the series finale after he went 4-for-13 with two runs while starting in each of the Royals' previous four games. Whit Merrifield will pick up the start at the keystone while Emmanuel Rivera starts at third base, the position where Lopez has been seeing more work of late as he transitions into more of a utility role for Kansas City.

Lopez signed a one-year, $2.55 million contract with the Royals on Friday after losing his arbitration case, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's the first year of arbitration eligibility for Lopez, and he's coming off a .300/.365/.378 slash line with two home runs, 43 RBI, 78 runs and 22 steals last season. However, he's struggled so far in 2022 and has a .537 OPS and only four steals through 59 games. Lopez is starting at third base and batting ninth Friday against the A's.