Mark Canha returns
The Royals announced they have optioned outfielder MJ Melendez to Triple-A Omaha to make room for the return of outfielder Mark Canha. Melendez was off to a brutal 4-for-47 (.085) start this year with 1 home run and 1 RBI. He had struck out in 38 percent of his plate appearances this season.
Melendez hit 41 home runs in the minors in 2021, but has struggled to reach that potential in the big leagues. He has been a starter the last three seasons for the Royals, but has seen his OPS+ decline each season and he has had negative Wins Above Replacement value in his career. Last year he hit just .206/.273/.400 with 17 home runs, but he came to spring training this year hoping a new swing could get him going. But his struggles have continued, and it became difficult to keep him on the roster when the offense was struggling so much. He had just one hit in his last seven games, going 1-for-24, and was not even used as a pinch hitter for Kyle Isbel with the bases loaded late in Friday’s game against Detroit.
Mark Canha was acquired in spring training from the Brewers, and has hit .357/.471/.500 in seven games before suffering a left adductor strain trying to catch a ball on April 8 against the Twins. The 11-year MLB-veteran is a career .250/.349/.414 hitter.
It remains to be seen as to whether this is the end for MJ Melendez in Kansas City, or this is just a temporary setback to reset his season and get his head on straight. The Royals did little to upgrade an offense that was among the worst offensively last season, hoping Melendez could turn things around. Now the team is mired in an awful slump on this road trip, going 1-7, and they are now averaging fewer than three runs-per-game this season, the second-worst offense in baseball.