Tolbert (cramps) will start in center field and bat ninth in Sunday's game against the Guardians.

EDGE Analysis

Tolbert dealt with cramping during his most recent start in Wednesday's 8-4 win over the Cubs, but he was available off the bench for both ends of Saturday's doubleheader with Cleveland, going 0-for-1 with a stolen base. He'll pick up his fourth start of the season in the series finale, replacing a resting Kyle Isbel in center field.

Tolbert (leg) isn't part of the starting lineup for Friday's game against Cleveland.

EDGE Analysis

Tolbert departed Wednesday's game with leg cramps, and he isn't featured in Friday's starting nine. Considering Tolbert hadn't started in three games before cracking the lineup Wednesday, Friday's absence isn't necessarily injury-related.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said that Tolbert was removed in the eighth inning of Wednesday's 8-4 win over the Cubs due to cramping, Pete Grathoff of The Kansas City Star reports.

EDGE Analysis

Tolbert started at third base and went 1-for-3 with a stolen base and a two-run home run before being replaced by Jonathan India in the bottom of the eighth. With the Royals off Thursday, Tolbert will have an extra day to recover before the start of Kansas City's three-game weekend home series against Cleveland.

The Royals recalled Tolbert from Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

He's taking the roster spot vacated by Michael Massey (ankle). Tolbert was used mainly as a pinch runner during an earlier stint in the majors this season and could be used in a similar fashion this time around.

The Royals optioned Tolbert to Triple-A Omaha on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Tolbert has been with the big club for nearly all season but has accrued only five plate appearances. Catcher Luke Maile is taking his spot on the roster.

The Royals reinstated Tolbert (personal) from the bereavement list Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Kansas City optioned infielder Nick Loftin to Triple-A Omaha to reopen a spot on the 26-man active roster for Tolbert, who had been away from the team since Sunday while tending to a personal matter. Since receiving his first big-league call-up March 31, Tolbert has made just one start and has logged just five plate appearances, but he's carved out a degree of utility in AL-only leagues by going 6-for-6 in stolen-base attempts.

The Royals placed Tolbert (personal) on the bereavement list Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Tolbert has primarily operated as a pinch runner this year and has recorded six stolen bases, but he'll step away from the team for a few days. Nick Loftin was called up from Triple-A Omaha to take his place on the big-league roster.

Tolbert stole two bases while appearing as a pinch runner in Sunday's 4-1 win over Baltimore.

EDGE Analysis

Despite receiving only three plate appearances since his promotion March 31, the rookie utility man has flashed his speed, swiping four bags in four attempts. Tolbert pinch ran for designated hitter Vinnie Pasquantino in the seventh inning and promptly stole second and third off Orioles reliever Seranthony Dominguez. Tolbert slashed an anemic .240/.323/.323 over 522 plate appearances across two minor league levels in 2024, so it will be difficult for him to find regular playing time in Kansas City. However, given his proficiency on the basepaths, Tolbert could accumulate steals in a bench role while Dairon Blanco (Achilles) is on the injured list.

Tolbert went 0-for-1 with two stolen bases in Friday's 8-2 win over the Orioles.

EDGE Analysis

Entering the game in the seventh inning as a pinch runner for Jonathan India, Tolbert swiped second and third base -- his first two career MLB steals -- before grounding out in the eighth in his lone plate appearance. The Royals have a long history of aggressively deploying speedsters late in games, and with Dairon Blanco (Achilles) currently on the shelf, Tolbert is filling that role. It would take a rash of further injuries in the outfield for the 27-year-old to have real fantasy value in most formats, however.