The Kansas City Royals made a notable roster move Saturday morning, optioning struggling outfielder MJ Melendez to Triple-A Omaha. Filling his spot, veteran outfielder and first baseman Mark Canha was activated from the 10-day injured list.
Melendez’s early-season woes have been hard to ignore. Through 52 plate appearances, he’s posted a dismal .085/.173/.170 slash line, managing just four hits — two singles, a double, and a solo homer against the Yankees. His swing-and-miss issues have been glaring, with a Whiff% in the first percentile (42.7%) and a staggering 38.5% strikeout rate. According to Royals GM J.J. Picollo, the decision was made to help Melendez regroup away from the spotlight.
“These things take time,” Picollo told reporters. “You can’t fix them overnight. He’s working on the right things, and now it’s just about taking some pressure off and getting back on track at a different level.”
This move mirrors the Royals’ 2014 decision to temporarily send Mike Moustakas to Omaha — a brief stint that helped reset his approach and led to a crucial role in the team’s run to the World Series.
Meanwhile, Canha rejoins the big-league squad after a short IL stint due to a left abductor strain. The late-spring acquisition was off to a blazing start in 2025, boasting a .471 on-base percentage in just 17 plate appearances before the injury. He also made the most of his rehab assignment in Omaha, reaching base in 5 of 13 trips to the plate.
With the Royals’ outfield corps struggling overall, it’s likely we haven’t seen the last of Melendez in a Kansas City uniform. His return could come sooner than later — especially if other bats continue to slump.
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