MLB news

Blanco heads to free agency after hitting .230/.324/.295 with seven steals in 73 plate appearances over 33 games for Triple-A Round Rock this season. The 33-year-old veteran outfielder hasn’t appeared in the big leagues since getting into nine games for the Royals last year. He should attract some interest as emergency outfield depth and a potential late-inning speed and defensive replacement on a postseason roster.

Blanco will enter the starting lineup in Triple-A and be an option for the Rangers if they suffer an injury in the outfield.

The Rangers claimed Blanco off waivers from the Royals on March 8 and then reassigned him to minor league camp only a day later. He has option years left, so another team could pick him up without being forced to keep him on the roster. He could have real value to a contender as a September/October pinch-runner, and it’s not like he’s been overmatched at the plate while having hit .257/.312/.416 in 285 career plate appearances with Kansas City.

Blanco was claimed off waivers from the Royals over the weekend, and he will begin his Rangers career at Triple-A. The 32-year-old remains a strong fourth outfielder for his solid defense and elite speed. He will likely be the first man called if any outfielder suffers an injury.

The 32-year-old speedster has hit .257/.312/.416 with seven homers, 34 RBI and 59 stolen bases over 285 plate appearances in parts of four big league seasons with the Royals. He’ll have a shot at earning a reserve spot on the Rangers’ Opening Day roster.

Blanco loses his spot on Kansas City’s 40-man roster with the arrival of Starling Marte. The 32-year-old appeared in just nine games for the Royals last year and was highly unlikely to open the season in the majors.

We were unaware that there were partial concussions, but it sounds like Blanco has avoided a serious head injury here. The Royals said “he’ll continue to be evaluated by the medical staff” and will “be taking it easy the next few days with light activity inside.”

Blanco was plunked in the head by a 90 mph pitch in the seventh inning, and reportedly looked woozy after. The Royals will take every precaution, and it won’t be a surprise if Blanco is out of the lineup for the next few days.