DAIRON BLANCO NEWS

Undergoing MRI on Tuesday Blanco (Achilles) will undergo an MRI on Tuesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Impact Blanco was scratched from the lineup Monday against the Athletics. X-rays came back negative, but he'll have more tests before being cleared to return. Blanco is competing for a reserve outfielder gig this spring after slashing .258/.308/.392 with four home runs and 13 RBI across 132 plate appearances for the Royals last summer.

FEBRUARY 25 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with Achilles tightness Blanco is day-to-day with right Achilles tightness after getting scratched from Monday's game against the Athletics.

Impact Joey Wiemer got the start in center field in Blanco's absence Monday. Wiemer and Blanco are competing in camp for a bench outfielder role.

FEBRUARY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Scratched from Monday's lineup Blanco was scratched from Monday's lineup against the Athletics.

Impact It's unclear what the reason was for Blanco's removal from the lineup less than two hours before first pitch, but in the spring, healthy scratches are more common than in the regular season. Joey Wiemer will start in center field and bat eighth.

FEBRUARY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Registers steal in win Blanco stole a base and scored a run as a pinch runner in Thursday's 7-4 win over the Nationals.

Impact Blanco's contributions continue to be limited to off-the-bench work. He's logged just one at-bat in September, but he's stolen six bases on seven attempts over 10 games this month. The speedster is up to 31 thefts this season. With four other outfielders capable of hitting right-handed (three righties and a switch hitter), Blanco is unlikely to see even short-side platoon work for the rest of the regular season or the postseason.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Reaches 30-steal mark Blanco went 0-for-1 and stole a base in Tuesday's 1-0 extra-inning win over the Nationals.

Impact Blanco entered the game as a pinch runner and picked up his fifth steal over eight contests this month. While his usage has been limited all season, the Royals' additions via waivers at the end of August to bolster their outfield cut off Blanco's remaining paths to playing time. Nonetheless, he's one of 23 players in the majors to reach 30 steals this year, doing so on 37 attempts despite seeing just 129 plate appearances across 85 contests.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Two thefts Tuesday Blanco recorded two stolen bases and a run scored as a pinch runner in Tuesday's 5-0 win over the Yankees.

Impact Blanco filled his role to perfection Tuesday. He entered the game as a pinch runner for Hunter Renfroe in the eighth inning, stole second and third, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Maikel Garcia. Blanco hasn't logged an at-bat over four games in September, but he's picked up three steals and three runs scored off the bench. The speedy outfielder is up to 28 steals on 34 attempts to go with four home runs, 13 RBI, 35 runs scored and a .265/.315/.402 slash line over 128 plate appearances.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Nabs steal No. 25 Blanco went 0-for-1 with a walk and a stolen base in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Astros.

Impact The 31-year-old speedster got the start in left field and batted seventh, and he quickly took advantage of his only trip on the basepaths in the sixth inning. Blanco's career-high 25 steals have come in only 128 plate appearances, making him a true one-category fantasy asset as he has just four homers, 13 RBI and 32 runs on the year.

AUGUST 31, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Records 24th steal Blanco went 1-for-4 with a walk, a stolen base and a run scored in a 9-4 win over the Guardians in Game 2 of Monday's doubleheader.

Impact Blanco should be in the lineup regularly versus left-handed pitchers while Hunter Renfroe (hamstring) is on the injured list. Blanco has logged three steals over his last six games and now has 24 thefts across 75 contests, matching his career high from last year. The speedy outfielder has added a .267/.312/.405 slash line with four home runs, 13 RBI, 32 runs scored and four doubles in just 126 plate appearances.

AUGUST 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Notches steal in win Blanco logged a stolen base as a pinch runner in Wednesday's 3-0 win over the Angels.

Impact Blanco took advantage of a road series in Cincinnati last weekend, going 5-for-8 with three homers and eight RBI across three contests. While it was an impressive showing, he remains in a short-side platoon role, primarily sharing left field with MJ Melendez. Blanco is up to 23 steals on 28 attempts this season while adding four homers, 13 RBI, 31 runs scored and a .257/.293/.394 slash line through 117 plate appearances. While he has excellent speed, his lack of a path to at-bats versus right-handed pitchers continues to limit his fantasy value.

AUGUST 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Explosive weekend continues Blanco went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, stolen base and an additional run scored Sunday against the Reds.

Impact Blanco followed up Saturday's monster performance with another top performance Sunday. Blanco began by bunting his way on to lead off the third, then stealing second and scoring the game's initial run on a Vinnie Pasquantino single. He then homered in his next at bat for his third blast in two games. In total, Blanco went 5-for-8 with three dingers, eight RBI, four runs and a stolen base over the two games. During his previous 228 career at-bats spanning parts of three seasons, Blanco had totaled four homers and 24 RBI to go along with 47 runs and 46 steals.

AUGUST 19, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Blanco homers again to help the Royals complete a sweep of the Reds with an 8-1 victory

Dairon Blanco hit his third home run in two days and started a rally with a bunt single as the Kansas City Royals beat the Cincinnati Reds 8-1 on Sunday to complete a series sweep

AUGUST 18, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Royals sweep Reds behind Singer's scoreless start, Blanco's HR power CINCINNATI -- The dog days of August can be difficult for young teams, and the Royals know what that feels like. But it doesn’t feel like Au...

AUGUST 18, 2024 • MLB.COM

Turns on power in huge performance Blanco went 3-for-5 with a pair of home runs and seven RBI in Saturday's 13-1 rout of the Reds.

Impact Blanco was probably the last KC starter anyone would have expected to notch a multi-homer game, as he entered Saturday with just one long ball over 105 plate appearances on the season. However, the 31-year-old hit double that total in the span of two innings, smacking a two-run homer in the second frame and adding a grand slam in the third. For good measure, Blanco notched an RBI single in the fourth inning for his seventh RBI of the game -- two more than he had accumulated over those 105 plate appearances coming into the contest.

AUGUST 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Blanco an unlikely source for 2-HR, 7-RBI game in Royals' rout CINCINNATI -- Dairon Blanco will never forget Players' Weekend. He had the weekend of his career in one game Saturday night, as the Royals c...

AUGUST 18, 2024 • MLB.COM

Dairon Blanco hits 1st career grand slam and drives in 7 runs as the Royals rout Reds 13-1

Dairon Blanco homered twice — including his first career grand slam — and drove in seven runs as the Kansas City Royals routed the Cincinnati Reds 13-1

AUGUST 18, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Joins 20-steal club Blanco stole a base as a pinch runner in Tuesday's 6-5 loss to the Red Sox.

Impact Blanco's theft was his 20th steal of the year, coming on his 25th attempt. Of the 26 players to reach that threshold so far this year, Blanco by far has the fewest plate appearances (104) -- the next closest player is Pete Crow-Armstrong (233). With MJ Melendez getting platooned in left field, Blanco has picked up some at-bats versus left-handed pitchers, but he's been sharing the short side of the platoon with Garrett Hampson in recent weeks. Blanco's value to Kansas City remains in his speed and defense off the bench, which gives him little path to fantasy usefulness.

AUGUST 7, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Logs steal in loss Blanco stole a base and scored a run as a pinch runner in Saturday's 6-5 extra-innings loss to the Tigers.

Impact This was his first steal in his last seven games, a span in which he's gone 2-for-9 and was also caught stealing once. Blanco's role hasn't changed after the trade deadline, as he remains a depth outfielder and speed option off the bench. For the year, he's 19-for-24 in steals while adding a home run, five RBI, 25 runs scored and a .237/.280/.301 slash line over 101 plate appearances.

AUGUST 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up 18th steal Blanco went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base in Sunday's 4-1 win over the White Sox.

Impact Blanco connected an RBI single as part of a three-run eighth inning and later stole a base in Sunday's win over the White Sox. Blanco is a bit of a one-trick pony, but it's a trick he does very well, as his 18 stolen bases are now tied with Jose Ramirez and Julio Rodriguez for the seventh most in the American League this season. Blanco has just one home run and five RBI in 84 at-bats this season and could see improvements in his slash line of .28/.286/.310.

JULY 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Notches 15th steal Blanco stole a base as a pinch runner in Tuesday's 2-1 loss to the Marlins.

Impact The steal was Blanco's 15th of the year and his fourth over 11 contests in June. The outfielder remains confined to a bench role, and he's gone just 3-for-19 with one walk and six strikeouts this month. For the year, he's slashing .236/.291/.319 with one home run, four RBI and 18 runs scored over 80 plate appearances while seeing action in 46 contests.

JUNE 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Blanco has 3 hits and Wacha gets back on track as Royals roll to a 10-4 victory over Angels

Dairon Blanco had three hits, including a two-run homer in the third, Michael Wacha picked up his first win in over a month and the Kansas City Royals rolled to a 10-4 victory over...

MAY 10, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Kevin Gausman K's Dairon Blanco | 04/23/2024 Kevin Gausman strikes out Dairon Blanco with a splitter in the bottom of the 6th inning vs. Royals

APRIL 24, 2024 • MLB.COM

Socks home run, steals two in win Blanco went 3-for-3 with a home run, one RBI, two runs scored and two steals in Sunday's 5-2 victory over the Yankees.

Impact Blanco contributed across the board in his return to the starting lineup after coming off the bench in the two games prior. Sunday's game marked his sixth multi-steal effort of the campaign and he concluded the season with 24 stolen bases in 68 games. In that span, the rookie outfielder slashed .258/.324/.452 with three home runs, 19 runs and 18 RBI in a part-time role.

OCTOBER 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Adds two steals Saturday Blanco went 0-for-4 with two stolen bases in Saturday's 10-8 win over the Astros.

Impact Blanco has logged five steals over seven games in September despite going just 3-for-16 (.188). The outfielder didn't need a hit Saturday, getting on base on a fielder's choice in the seventh inning before swiping second and third. He's up to 22 thefts in 27 attempts through 126 plate appearances, and Blanco also sports a .230/.304/.407 slash line.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE