KANSAS CITY-- In a move developing for several weeks currently, the Royals marked Hunter Dozier for assignment Monday mid-day and brought back infielder Nicky Lopez from his rehabilitation assignment.Dozier's efficiency over the last 3 seasons has not lived up to the four-year contract extension he authorized with the Royals in 2021, one that is paying him an ensured $25 million and consists of a club option for a fifth year.Given the Royals' emphasis on youth in 2023 and their desire to examine the young skill they carry the roster, the 31-year-old Dozier blocked a lineup spot and having fun time, even as those opportunities reduced over the last pair of weeks. With Lopez returning from appendicitis, the Royals required a way to keep the versatile infielder and 23-year-old Maikel Garcia on the lineup."That was most definitely component of it Royals Hoodies, " Royals basic manager JJ Picollo said. "With Maikel coming up when Nicky obtained harmed, it produced an opportunity for Maikel to play. We like what we're seeing out of him. We recognize we like him defensively. So currently, with Nicky coming back, it required our choice. Those 2 are absolutely part of what we're doing."The Royals' first-round pick (No. 8 overall) out of Stephen F. Austin in 2013 Wade Davis Jersey, Dozier appreciated his best period in 2019, when he deserved 2.8 WAR, per FanGraphs, and hit 26 home runs while lowering.279/.348/.522. Thank you, Seeker, for your years of hard job. We wish you and your household the best relocating onward. pic.twitter.com/knEeUjR4KJ— Kansas City Royals () May 22, 2023Since after that, it's been a consistent decline for the Dallas native https://www.kansascityroyalsprostore.com/taylor-hearn-jersey, who has been worth -2.3 fWAR and uploaded a. 670 OPS over the last three seasons. Fresh off his expansion in the springtime of 2021, Dozier experienced a thumb injury in the very first game of that period, and he never completely obtained his swing back. He posted an 81 wRC+ in 21 with a 28.4% strikeout price, then a 90 wRC+ in 22-- well listed below the 100 league-average mark.The Royals really hoped that the Dozier of 2019 would return in 2023 as a seasoned leader in a club full of young players. His contract was not a massive one and might be validated with league-average bet a rebuilding club."It's a challenging one to address, " Piccollo said when asked about Dozier's offensive regression considering that 2019. "If we understood that, I believe we would have been able to resolve it and fix it. You enter a little bit of a mental game. It's a hard one to determine."Dozier spent last offseason revamping his swing and revealed strides in Springtime Training, collaborating with Royals hitting trains and making the beginning third base work on Opening Day, as that was the placement where he would have the ability to see the most playing time."This video game is actually difficult, " Royals supervisor Matt Quatraro said. "Especially the hitting facet of it."Rather than proceeding the grip he enjoyed in spring https://www.kansascityroyalsprostore.com/kyle-zimmer-jersey, Dozier set out at a 31.9% clip and uploaded a 50 wRC+ in 29 games. The Royals have actually decided to play Garcia at the warm edge more frequently currently, and Lopez will certainly continue to get playing time there currently, too.Dozier's seven-year tenure with the Royals-- during which he lowered.238/.305/.420 with 73 homers-- is likely over. He will certainly undergo waivers over the next week, offering one more group a chance to choose up his agreement. Otherwise, the Royals will certainly be responsible for choosing up the staying $16.75 million he's due."With the assistance of possession, we were able to make this choice and move on, " Picollo stated. "We simply need to look forward to what's occurring in the coming years."Although the Dozier extension really did not exercise the way both sides would certainly have wished Bret Saberhagen Jersey, Picollo noted that the club will certainly not be dissuaded from attempting to expand young gamers moving on if the organization feels it is in the very best interest of the club."I believe we would be inaccurate if we claimed we're not mosting likely to seek to extend players, " Picollo said. "I believe it constantly has to become part of our day-to-day discussions."While very first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino's name has actually turned up as a possible expansion prospect, Picollo worried that any extension discussions pertaining to Pasquantino or any type of player would stay private.Robert Falkoff added to this report.Lopez got the start at third base on Monday after missing out on 20 video games as a result of appendicitis. The return was bittersweet for Lopez because of his close relationship with Dozier."He's my closest good friend on the group, " Lopez said of Dozier. "Perhaps this is something that takes place along his journey and will be type of a clean slate. I'm always rooting for him. I recognize he'll be all right."Robert Falkoff added to this record.