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The Royals’ most notable roster decision on Tuesday was arguably their bullpen move that sent Eli Morgan down to Triple-A Omaha to make way for the selection of Beck Way<\/a>. However, they snuck in a waiver wire acquisition as well, announcing that they’d claimed outfielder Matthew Lugo from the Los Angeles Angels<\/a> and optioned him to Triple-A.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Additional moves:<\/p>\n OF Matt Lugo has been claimed off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels and has been optioned to Omaha (AAA).<\/p>\n LHP Bailey Falter has cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Omaha (AAA).<\/p>\n \u2014 Kansas City Royals (@Royals) June 2, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n <\/p>\n On paper, there’s plenty of reason as to why someone like Lugo made sense for a team with available 40-man roster spots like the Royals to claim. However, he does nothing to solve the Royals’ biggest issue from a position player perspective. This of course is their infield depth.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Michael Massey and Nick Loftin still form a second base partnership that’s largely been responsible for producing a 71 wRC+ on the season. Vinnie Pasquantino is heating up recently, but still holds a 74 wRC+ on the season at first base. While still an elite defender at third, the now injured Maikel Garcia has looked more average than anything at the plate this season with a 97 wRC+. And utility bench option, Tyler Tolbert is not just a run-first option, he’s really a run-only option.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In the minors, Peyton Wilson and his 106 wRC+ and Brett Squires and his 157 wRC+ are their best options for a call-up<\/a>, but while promising in Omaha, neither has that prior major league track record to help the Royals feel more comfortable with them in the lineup.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n While there’s plenty of veterans to tick that box to some degree in Josh Rojas, Kevin Newman, Connor Kaiser and Abraham Toro, none of them have been above-average hitters this season with Toro’s 90 wRC+ being the best of the bunch.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Regardless of infield needs, the Royals shouldn’t regret the claiming of Lugo. While his lone year in the majors in 2025 with the Angels wasn’t great – he posted a 89 wRC+ in 31 games – it certainly wasn’t terrible either and representative of a half-decent bench option. Paired with his appearances for Puerto Rico at the World Baseball Classic this past winter, Lugo certainly has had a taste of the bright lights.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And from a recent minor league perspective, Lugo has looked solid in the upper minors to start the year. Across 47 games with Triple-A Salt Lake and Double-A Rocket City, Lugo held a .777 OPS and 117 wRC+. Not ground-breaking by any means, but certainly someone who would instill more confidence at the plate than any of their other current infield veteran options.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lugo now gives the Royals quite the collection of outfield depth should they want to make a change there or just at the plate in general. He joins the likes of fellow 40-man roster mates Kameron Misner and John Rave, who each sport OPS totals above .860 and wRC+ clips above 115.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And while it doesn’t have any real bearing on their team in 2026, Lugo’s addition does also add to a nice storyline that should resonate well with the fanbase to a certain a degree. He now joins an organization in which he already has strong bloodlines to<\/a>. He’s the nephew of Royals great and Hall of Famer Carlos Beltr\u00e1n and also a more distant relative related to 2016 Royals outfielder Rey Fuentes, Beltr\u00e1n’s cousin.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n\n
Lugo adds valuable depth to Royals organization – even if it’s not in the infield<\/h2>\n