KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Royals general manager Dayton Moore had seen enough progress under Ned Yost, and his manager in turn had seen enough progress in some promising young players, that there was no reason to delay what had become inevitable.So, with a simple statement issued before the Royals closed their 50th season with an unsightly 58-104 record, Yost announced he had signed an extension to return next season.The biggest question surrounding the club heading into the offseason had been answered."We're at a point in time right now where we think continuity is even more crucial than it has been in the past," Moore said. "We've seen the improvement of a lot of the players that are on the field right now. We're really pleased with the coaching staff. Most importantly, Ned's been a huge part of the success of this organization and we feel it's important to keep that together. ... I'm excited about next year."Most times, there would be little reason to feel good about a season that ended... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Adalberto Mondesi is back with the Kansas City Royals as part of a roster shuffle.The Royals made six moves Sunday before playing Houston.Mondesi, the first player to make his major league debut in a World Series game, was recalled from Triple-A Omaha.The Royals also called up outfielder Rosell Herrera and purchased the contract of right-hander Wily Peralta from Omaha. They optioned right-hander Scott Barlow and infielder Ramon Torres to their Pacific Coast League affiliate. They transferred left-handed pitcher Eric Skoglund to the 60-day disabled list.Mondesi struck out as a pinch-hitter in the 2015 World Series against the New York Mets. He was once the Royals' top prospect, but has been derailed by injuries and a 50-game drug suspension in 2016.The 22-year-old opened the 2017 season as Kansas City's starting second baseman, but was sent back to the minors after hitting .109 in his first 14 games. Mondesi, the son of former major league outfielder Raul Mondesi,... [More]

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — The Royals signed right-handed reliever Justin Grimm to a $1.25 million, one-year deal Sunday that includes up to $300,000 incentives after he was released by the Chicago Cubs last week.The 29-year-old Grimm was 1-2 with a 5.53 ERA in 50 appearances last season.The club also announced that pitchers Miguel Almonte, Sam Gaviglio and Trevor Oaks, catcher Cam Gallagher and infielder Ramon Torres have been optioned to Triple-A Omaha.The roster moves leave the Royals with 46 players in major league camp.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen needed 13 pitches to throw a perfect inning in his first game appearance since the World Series, an exhibition against Kansas City on Thursday.Jansen entered in the third inning with an 8-3 lead. He struck out Ramon Torres, retired Jon Jay on a popup and got Alex Gordon to make weak contact on a cutter, producing a flyout."To get back in front of 8,000 people out there, it gets your adrenalin going a little bit more," the two-time National League Reliever of the Year said. "I feel great."The Royals beat the Dodgers 14-8.Jansen was to have pitched last Friday but was held out after feeling hamstring tightness. He said he is to pitch Saturday against the Chicago White Sox."Just stick with the process. Stay with running and the weight room. Building my arm strength outside, playing catch. Don't rush it," Jansen said. "You just have to have that confidence and go out there and trust it. I felt really good today."A two-time All-Star,... [More]

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen needed 13 pitches to throw a perfect inning in his first game appearance since the World Series, an exhibition against Kansas City on Thursday.Jansen entered in the third inning with an 8-3 lead. He struck out Ramon Torres, retired Jon Jay on a popup and got Alex Gordon to make weak contact on a cutter, producing a flyout."To get back in front of 8,000 people out there, it gets your adrenalin going a little bit more," the two-time National League Reliever of the Year said. "I feel great."Jansen was to have pitched last Friday but was held out after feeling hamstring tightness. He is to pitch Saturday against the Chicago White Sox."Just stick with the process. Stay with running and the weight room. Building my arm strength outside, playing catch. Don't rush it," Jansen said. "You just have to have that confidence and go out there and trust it. I felt really good today."A two-time All-Star, Jansen threw 85 innings over 78 games... [More]

Mike Moustakas is staying with the Kansas City Royals in a surprising turn dictated by a historically slow free-agent market.Kansas City agreed Thursday to a one-year contract that guarantees the third baseman $6.5 million, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.The deal could be worth up to $22.7 million over two seasons, the person said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the agreement was subject to a successful physical.Moustakas gets a $5.5 million salary this year and has the chance to earn $2.2 million in performance bonuses based on plate appearances. The agreement, reached exactly three weeks before opening day, includes a $15 million mutual option for 2019 with a $1 million buyout.The 29-year-old infielder turned down a $17.4 million, one-year qualifying offer from the Royals in November. But he found the interest of many other teams dimmed because a deal would have required compensation such as a loss of draft picks and/or international signing... [More]