Isbel went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and a stolen base in Monday's 3-1 victory over the Twins.
Isbel took Woods Richardson deep in the bottom of the second inning to give Kansas City the lead, and that was all the offense his club needed. Isbel also delivered a single to center field in the seventh but was later stranded after stealing second. The 29-year-old is off to a strong start to 2026, as he's picked up a base knock in all three of his appearances and has also swiped a pair of bags.
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Royals' Kyle Isbel: On bench for season opener
Rotowire
Isbel isn't part of the starting nine for Friday's game against Atlanta.
Isbel will take a seat for the Royals' season opener, as southpaw Chris Sale takes the mound for Atlanta. Isaac Collins, Lane Thomas and Starling Marte will fill the outfield from left to right Friday.
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Royals' Kyle Isbel: Pair of hits in spring win
Rotowire
Isbel went 2-for-2 with a double and a run scored in Sunday's Cactus League win over the White Sox.
Isbel reached base in both of his at-bats, first via a bunt single in the third inning and then with a 103.8 mph double to lead off the bottom of the fifth frame. Sunday marked the 29-year-old's second two-hit performance of the spring, bringing his Cactus League totals to .231/.355/.269 with a double and two RBI across 11 appearances. Coming off a 2025 season in which he hit .255/.301/.353 with four homers, 33 RBI and 42 runs scored, Isbel will face competition from the likes of Isaac Collins (side), Lane Thomas and Starling Marte for playing time in the outfield. However, Isbel's stellar glove in center field bodes well for him seeing consistent playing time in 2026.
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Royals' Kyle Isbel: Nets $2.7 million from Royals
Rotowire
Isbel (hamstring) agreed to a one-year, $2.7 million contract with the Royals on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
Isbel batted .255 over 135 games last year but otherwise failed to improve at the plate, finishing the season with a .654 OPS alongside four home runs, 33 RBI and 42 runs scored -- all decreases from 2024. With the Royals bringing in Lane Thomas and Isaac Collins during the offseason, Isbel is likely to receive some competition for playing time in the outfield in 2026.
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Royals' Kyle Isbel: Sent to IL with strained hamstring
Rotowire
The Royals placed Isbel on the 10-day injured list Thursday with a left hamstring strain.
Isbel suffered the injury during Wednesday's game against the Mariners. He will be eligible for activation the final day of the regular season, but there's a good chance the injury will end the outfielder's season. Mike Yastrzemski is starting in center field for the Royals on Thursday and could settle in there down the stretch, which could open up more playing time in left field for Adam Frazier.
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Royals' Kyle Isbel: Sitting out with sore hamstring
Rotowire
Isbel (hamstring) is not in the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Mariners.
Isbel had to exit Wednesday's contest with left hamstring soreness, so it's no surprise he's sitting out Thursday's matinee. Whether Isbel will require a stint on the 10-day injured list is unclear. Mike Yastrzemski will shift over to center field for the Royals and will be flanked by Adam Frazier in left field and Jac Caglianone in right field in the series finale.
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Royals' Kyle Isbel: Suffers hamstring injury
Rotowire
Isbel was removed from Wednesday's game against the Mariners due to left hamstring discomfort.
Isbel grounded out to end the second frame and was replaced in the outfield to start the next half-inning. It remains unclear whether his injury will force him to miss additional time, which would likely provide more opportunities for Tyler Tolbert in center field.
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Royals' Kyle Isbel: Idle against right-hander
Rotowire
Isbel is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies.
The Royals are facing off against a righty (Aaron Nola) in the series finale, but the left-handed-hitting Isbel will receive a day off nonetheless after he had started in each of Kansas City's last 12 games. Mike Yastrzemski will spell Isbel in center field.
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Royals' Kyle Isbel: Taking seat against lefty
Rotowire
Isbel is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rangers.
The Rangers are sending southpaw Patrick Corbin to the bump, so the left-handed-hitting Isbel will begin the contest on the bench. Tyler Tolbert will patrol center field and bat ninth for the Royals.
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Royals' Kyle Isbel: Getting rest Sunday
Rotowire
Isbel is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox.
Isbel will get a breather after starting the last three contests and going 2-for-8 with a pair of walks. John Rave will replace Isbel in center field and bat eighth Sunday.
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Royals' Kyle Isbel: Hot start to August
Rotowire
Isbel went 2-for-4 with an RBI double and a run scored in Sunday's 7-4 victory over the Blue Jays.
Isabel jumpstarted a five-run 10th inning with an RBI double that gave the Royals a lead they would not relinquish. Known more for his defense, the light-hitting center fielder is off to a strong start in August, recording two hits in each of the first three games of the month. While his glove remains his primary asset, Isabel finding his swing would add much-needed depth to the Kansas City lineup.
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Royals' Kyle Isbel: Resting Sunday
Rotowire
Isbel is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Guardians.
The Royals will give Isbel a breather while the Guardians send southpaw Joey Cantillo to the bump. Isbel had started each of Kansas City's last six games, going 6-for-17 with a walk and four runs.
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Royals' Kyle Isbel: Resting against lefty
Rotowire
Isbel is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Pirates.
The left-handed-hitting Isbel will take a seat for the series finale while the Pirates send left-hander Bailey Falter to the bump. Tyler Tolbert will pick up the start in center field in place of Isbel, who has gone 3-for-24 with two runs and two RBI through his first seven games of July.
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Royals' Kyle Isbel: Idle for series finale
Rotowire
Isbel is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers.
Lou Trivino is starting the game for the Dodgers as an opener before giving way to left-hander Justin Wrobleski, who will work in bulk relief. As a result, the Royals will keep Isbel on the bench for the series finale. Drew Waters will cover center field.
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Royals' Kyle Isbel: Resting Saturday
Rotowire
Isbel isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Padres.
After going 1-for-14 across his last four games, Isbel will take a seat Saturday while Drew Waters starts in center field and bats eighth.
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Royals' Kyle Isbel: Getting breather
Rotowire
Isbel is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Reds.
Isbel started back-to-back games after battling an illness earlier this week, and he'll get the night off Wednesday despite the Reds starting a right-handed pitcher (Hunter Greene). Michael Massey, Drew Waters and Dairon Blanco will fill the outfield from left to right.
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Royals' Kyle Isbel: On bench again Sunday
Rotowire
Isbel (illness) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Twins.
Isbel was scratched from the lineup Saturday due to an illness and will sit again for Sunday's series finale in Minnesota. Drew Waters will shift to center field while Mark Canha and Nick Loftin start in right and left, respectively.
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Royals' Kyle Isbel: Scratched with illness
Rotowire
Isbel was scratched from the lineup ahead of Saturday's game against Minnesota with an illness.
While Isbel takes the day off to recover, Drew Waters will move to center field, opening up right field for Mark Canha.
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Royals' Kyle Isbel: Taking seat versus southpaw
Rotowire
Isbel is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Astros.
The lefty-hitting Isbel started in Tuesday's 2-1 loss against Astros southpaw Framber Valdez, but the outfielder will hit the bench Wednesday while Houston sends a second straight lefty (Colton Gordon) to the bump. Mark Canha will enter the lineup as a replacement for Isbel, manning left field and batting sixth.
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Royals' Kyle Isbel: Getting afternoon off
Rotowire
Isbel is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the White Sox.
Isbel will receive a breather for the day game after he had started in each of the Royals' last three contests while going 3-for-9 with a solo home run and an additional run. Drew Waters will replace Isbel in center field.
