The KC Royals announced their American League Division Series 25-man roster on Thursday morning. The key decisions included including outfielders Paulo Orlando and Terrance Gore, and excluding veterans Jonny Gomes and Jeremy Guthrie.
Playoff rosters must be set before every playoff series. Any eligible player can be on the playoff roster, which can change for each series a team plays. Playoff rules also allow for injury replacements. Otherwise, rosters are set once a series begins.
The Kansas City Royals roster that will take on the Houston Astros starting Thursday night includes 11 pitchers, two catchers, six infielders, and six outfielders that break down as follows:
Pitchers:
Catchers:
Infielders:
Christian Colon (UTIL), Alcides Escobar (SS), Eric Hosmer (1B), Kendrys Morales (1B/DH) Mike Moustakas (3B), Ben Zobrist (2B)
Outfielders:
Lorenzo Cain (CF), Jarrod Dyson (OF), Alex Gordon (LF), Terrance Gore (OF), Paulo Orlando (OF), Alex Rios (LF)
Among the more interesting decisions made by the KC Royals was to leave off outfielder Jonny Gomes, who is an excellent pinch hitter against left-handed pitchers in favor of the speedy Paulo Orlando.