The KC Royals’ 5-4 loss to Texas on Friday came the same way too many did last season–the bullpen blew a late inning lead. Fortunately, the result is one soon forgotten to be, an exhibition defeat having meaning only in the Cactus League standings. But the game rendered a few items of note.
How big was Eric Skoglund‘s step back? This spring training could be the last Eric Skoglund spends in a Royals’ uniform. The lefty’s major league struggles have been well chronicled in this space: he’s 2-11 since making his KC debut in 2017; he won his first major league start in May 2017 and posted another win almost a year later, but hasn’t won in the 16 games he’s pitched since that second victory.