Dairon Blanco
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MLB Player Data
DateNewsComment
Jun 2 2025The Royals optioned Blanco to Triple-A Omaha on Monday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: With top prospect Jac Caglianone receiving a call-up to the big leagues and likely to take on an everyday role in the corner outfield, Blanco became an expandable piece for the Royals. Since being activated May 16 following a stint on the injured list, Blanco appeared in just six of the Royals' ensuing 15 games and went 1-for-5 with a double and an RBI while going 1-for-3 in stolen-base attempts.
May 16 2025The Royals activated Blanco (Achilles) from the 10-day injured list Friday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Blanco has been shelved for most of the season with right Achilles tendinopathy but is ready to return after playing 12 rehab games. The speedster will likely operate in a reserve role for now, but there's potential for him to move up the depth chart among a Royals outfield lacking talent.
Apr 30 2025Blanco (Achilles) went 1-for-3 in his first rehab game Tuesday for Triple-A Omaha. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Blanco received a platelet-rich plasma injection April 4 to alleviate pain in his right Achilles tendon. It's not clear how long he'll be at Triple-A, but he could be activated in the next week or so.
Apr 4 2025Blanco (Achilles) received a platelet-rich plasma injection Friday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Blanco will be sidelined from all activity for the next 3-to-5 days, and he will then be re-evaluated by the Royals' medical staff. This virtually eliminates the possibility of a minimum-length IL stay for the 31-year-old outfielder. A return timetable may emerge once he's cleared to resume baseball activities.
Mar 31 2025The Royals placed Blanco on the 10-day injured list Monday due to right Achilles tendinopathy. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Despite not earning regular playing time at any point during the 2024 season, Blanco had some usefulness in deeper mixed leagues and AL-only leagues after accruing 31 stolen bases in just 131 plate appearances. Though Blanco was hampered by the Achilles issue for much of spring training, he made enough progress to win a spot on the Royals' Opening Day roster. Despite going 2-for-2 on steal attempts in the Royals' season-opening series with the Guardians, Blanco apparently hasn't fully moved past the injury, so he'll be given some time off to heal. Kansas City will replace him on the 26-man active roster with infielder/outfielder Tyler Tolbert, another speed merchant who could see ample use off the bench as a pinch runner.
Mar 25 2025Blanco has won a spot on the 26-man roster as a reserve outfielder, MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Blanco missed time early in spring training due to right Achilles tightness, but was healthy the past two weeks. He hit .333 (7-for-21) with three stolen bases this spring. He'll work as a reserve for all three out outfield positions and be used as a pinch runner. He could be a good source of stolen bases if he can get enough playing time.
Mar 12 2025Blanco (Achilles) went 0-for-1 and played three innings in center field in Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Diamondbacks in Cactus League play. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After making it out of a minor-league game Sunday no worse for the wear, Blanco returned to action in the Cactus League on Tuesday for the first time since Feb. 23. He was scratched from the spring lineup a day later due to right Achilles tightness and was limited for about a week before ramping back up. While he'll still need to get some more at-bats in during the spring to keep himself available as an option for Opening Day, Blanco should have an inside track for a bench role with Kansas City. Blanco has the ability to defend all three outfield spots and held his own at the dish last season (.700 OPS in 131 plate appearances) while going 31-for-38 in stolen-base attempts.
Mar 9 2025Blanco (Achilles) is scheduled to play three innings in a minor-league game Sunday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Blanco has been out of action since Feb. 24 due to right Achilles tendinitis, but he appears to be close to full health. Assuming he makes it through Sunday's contest without any setbacks, Blanco could make his return to the Cactus League lineup within the next few days. The 31-year-old is vying for a backup outfield spot on the Royals' Opening Day roster.
Feb 25 2025Blanco (Achilles) will undergo an MRI on Tuesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Blanco was scratched from the lineup Monday against the Athletics. His 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 regular-season plate appearances for the Royals in 2024.
Feb 24 2025Blanco is day-to-day with right Achilles tightness after getting scratched from Monday's game against the Athletics. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Sep 26 2024Blanco stole a base and scored a run as a pinch runner in Thursday's 7-4 win over the Nationals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Sep 24 2024Blanco went 0-for-1 and stole a base in Tuesday's 1-0 extra-inning win over the Nationals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Sep 11 2024Blanco recorded two stolen bases and a run scored as a pinch runner in Tuesday's 5-0 win over the Yankees. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Aug 31 2024Blanco went 0-for-1 with a walk and a stolen base in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Astros. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Aug 27 2024Blanco 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. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Aug 22 2024Blanco logged a stolen base as a pinch runner in Wednesday's 3-0 win over the Angels. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Blanco took advantage of his playing time during 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 pitching continues to limit his fantasy value.
Aug 18 2024Blanco went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, stolen base and an additional run scored Sunday against the Reds. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Aug 17 2024Blanco went 3-for-5 with a pair of home runs and seven RBI in Saturday's 13-1 rout of the Reds. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Aug 6 2024Blanco stole a base as a pinch runner in Tuesday's 6-5 loss to the Red Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Aug 4 2024Blanco stole a base and scored a run as a pinch runner in Saturday's 6-5 extra-innings loss to the Tigers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Jul 21 2024Blanco went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base in Sunday's 4-1 win over the White Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Blanco collected an RBI single as part of a three-run eighth inning and later stole a base. 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.
Jun 30 2024Blanco went 1-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored in Sunday's 6-2 win over the Guardians. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Blanco started for the first time since June 23, playing in place of MJ Melendez in left field against lefty Logan Allen. While he's not getting many at-bats, Blanco's speed remains top notch -- he logged six steals while going 4-for-23 over 14 contests in June. The outfielder has a .237/.289/.316 slash line with 17 thefts, one home run, four RBI, 20 runs scored and three doubles across 84 plate appearances in a reserve role this year.
Jun 25 2024Blanco stole a base as a pinch runner in Tuesday's 2-1 loss to the Marlins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Jun 10 2024Blanco went 1-for-3 with a stolen base and a run scored in Monday's 4-2 loss to the Yankees. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Blanco got the start in left field but moved over to right when Hunter Renfroe left the game with a broken toe. With Renfroe likely for the injured list, Blanco could get first dibs on a starting role moving forward, though it's also possible the Royals call up Drew Waters from Triple-A Omaha since there is a chance for steady playing time. Blanco has done well in limited action this season with a .259/.323/.362 slash line and 14 steals over 66 plate appearances as a fourth outfielder. However, he's gone just 3-for-17 over his last 11 contests and would likely struggle to hit consistently in an everyday role.
Jun 8 2024Blanco stole a base and scored one run in Saturday's 8-4 win over the Mariners. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Blanco got his first game action since June 2 and did what he does best: make an impact with speed. The steal was his second in his last three games, but he's not seeing much playing time even with the Royals getting anemic batting lines from their regular outfielders. For the season, Blanco has 13 thefts to go with one home run, four RBI, 17 runs scored and a .255/.323/.364 slash line over 63 plate appearances.
Jun 1 2024Blanco went 0-for-2 with a walk, a stolen base and one run scored in Saturday's 7-3 loss to the Padres. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Blanco briefly looked to be claiming a larger role in mid-May, but he's since returned to his usual status as a fourth outfielder. His steal Saturday was his first since May 13, giving him 12 thefts on the year. He's added a decent .255/.323/.364 slash line with one home run, four RBI, 15 runs scored and three doubles over 63 plate appearances. Blanco's last two starts have come against right-handed pitchers, but it appears that's more to give Kyle Isbel regular rest than it is a sign of Blanco earning a larger role.
May 15 2024Blanco is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game in Seattle. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Blanco went through a stretch with four starts in five games, reaching base seven times while hitting one home run and stealing three bases. However, he's now been out of the lineup for two straight contests. The outfielder certainly has the ability to help fantasy managers with his speed if he gets regular reps, so his playing time is worth tracking.
May 13 2024Blanco went 1-for-3 with a stolen base in Monday's 6-2 loss to the Mariners. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Blanco was 1-for-2 on stolen base attempts in the game. The outfielder began the year in a bench role, but he's hit his way into starting four of the last five games with time at all three outfield positions. He's gone 7-for-17 (.412) since May 6. Blanco doesn't have much of a track record in a starting role, but he's slashed .293/.356/.439 with a home run, two RBI, 14 runs scored and 11 steals through 45 plate appearances this season as a speed-and-defense option. Blanco's increased playing time has primarily come at the expense of MJ Melendez and Kyle Isbel.
May 10 2024Blanco went 3-for-3 with a walk, a double, a two-run home run, four runs scored and two steals in Thursday's win over the Angels. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Blanco kicked off a four-run third inning for Kansas City with his first home run of the season and then led off the fifth with an infield single, eventually scoring a season-high four runs. It was Blanco's first three-hit performance of the campaign, and he's making the most of his sporadic playing time, batting .364 (8-for-22) over his last 12 appearances with eight runs and five steals in five attempts.
May 5 2024Blanco secured two stolen bases in Sunday's 3-2 extra-inning loss to the Rangers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Blanco entered the game in the bottom of the eighth inning as a pinch runner for Vinnie Pasquantino, stealing both second and third base. The outfielder is now up to eight stolen bases this season, and he's gotten three total swipes over the last three games. On the flip side, Blanco draws only an occasional spot in the starting lineup, limiting his upside as a stolen-base option for fantasy managers.
May 4 2024Blanco went 0-for-1 with a stolen base and a run scored in Friday's 7-1 win over the Rangers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Blanco pinch ran for MJ Melendez in the seventh inning, swiping a bag and scoring on a Kyle Isbel single. The steal was Blanco's first since April 9, though he went 5-for-20 with two doubles and a walk over 11 contests between thefts. He has seen a little more playing time recently, though his starts often come when another outfielder needs a day off -- there's no obvious platoon situation emerging that would get Blanco in the lineup regularly. The speedster has six steals, no home runs, no RBI, eight runs scored and two doubles over 26 plate appearances this season.