Forty-six days after pitchers and catchers reported here to spring training, the Royals are set to break camp on Thursday. They will board a charter jet and fly to Texas, where they’ll face the Rangers in two exhibition games at Globe Life Park. One more off day on Sunday, and the 2017 Royals season will open against the Minnesota Twins on a Monday afternoon at Target Field.
The travel schedule has been in place for months. The team the Royals take to Minnesota remains in flux. As the end of camp looms, the club must select a starting second baseman, fill out its bench and settle on a final reliever for its seven-man bullpen.