Predict the Royals Opening Night 25-ma - 棒球

Predict the Royals Opening Night 25-man roster
By Max Rieper on Mar 23, 2016, 12:00p

The Royals began spring training with few roster battles, but there is still
some mystery as to who they will bring north with them to open the season
April 3 against the New York Mets. There are 35 players left in camp, meaning
the Royals still have some cuts to make to get down to the 25-man roster
limit. Who will make the team?

All-Star catcher Salvador Perez will play seemingly every day, but there is
still a decision to make as to who will spell him on rare occasion - Drew
Butera or Tony Cruz. The infield returns Eric Hosmer, Alcides Escobar, and
Mike Moustakas, but second base was to be an open competition between Omar
Infante and Christian Colon. It appears Infante has likely won the job,
leaving Colon to battle veteran Clint Barmes for a backup role.

Alex Gordon and Lorenzo Cain return in the outfield with Kendrys Morales at
designated hitter. Jarrod Dyson was to take on a larger role this year, but
will begin the year on the disabled list with a strained oblique. That leaves
Paulo Orlando to be the likely starter, with Travis Snider and Reymond
Fuentes battling for a reserve role. Versatile utility man Whit Merrifield
has become an intriguing option for a bench spot with a hot spring.

The Royals have some new names in camp on minor league deals.
The starting rotation will likely consist of Yordano Ventura, Edinson
Volquez, Ian Kennedy, and Kris Medlen. Chris Young appears to have beaten out
Danny Duffy for the final rotation spot, leaving Duffy in the bullpen with
Wade Davis, Kelvin Herrera, Joakim Soria, and Luke Hochevar. Dillon Gee was
recently added to the 40-man roster, giving him a good shot of making the
team as a long reliever. That leaves one bullpen role left, and with the
release of Ross Ohlendorf today and the reassignment of Scott Alexander and
Brian Flynn to the minors the bullpen battle becomes clearer. Brian Duensing
is likely the best option from the left side, although right-hander
Chien-Ming Wang has become an intriguing option with an increase in velocity.
Duesning has the right to become a free agent if he is not no the roster by
next week, while Wang cannot exercise his opt-out until May 1.

Who do you think will make the 25-man roster? Here are the players left in
camp. Players in bold are currently on the 40-man roster.

Catchers: Drew Butera, Tony Cruz, Salvador Perez

Infielders: Clint Barmes, Christian Colon, Cody Decker, Alcides Escobar, Eric
Hosmer, Omar Infante, Kendrys Morales, Raul Mondesi, Mike Moustakas

Outfielders: Lorenzo Cain, Reymond Fuentes, Alex Gordon, Terrance Gore, Whit
Merrifield, Paulo Orlando, Travis Snider

Pitchers: Wade Davis, Brian Duensing, Danny Duffy, Dillon Gee, Kelvin
Herrera, Luke Hochevar, David Huff, Ian Kennedy, John Lannan, Kris Medlen,
Peter Moylan, Joakim Soria, Yordano Ventura, Edinson Volquez, Chien-Ming
Wang, Chris Young

Expected to begin the year on the disabled list: Tim Collins, Jarrod Dyson,
Mike Minor, Jason Vargas

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