The Royals introduced this morning that supervisor Matt Quatraro is away from the crew whereas he tends to a private matter. Whereas Quatraro is away, bench coach Paul Hoover is ready to function the membership’s supervisor. It’s as of now unclear how lengthy Quatraro expects to be away from the membership.
Quatraro, 50, took the reins in Kansas Metropolis following the membership’s choice to fireside Mike Matheny after the 2022 season. His rookie season as supervisor was a troublesome one, as he piloted the membership to a dreadful 56-106 report and a final place end within the AL Central. A midseason breakout from star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. supplied some optimism for the long run, nonetheless, and the Royals determined to put money into trying to contend within the quick time period over the offseason by handing free agent offers to veteran items like Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha. Regardless of these investments, the Royals entered the 2024 marketing campaign broadly anticipated to overlook the playoffs for the ninth consecutive season.
The membership has shattered these expectations beneath Quatraro’s steerage, nonetheless, because the membership has posted a superb 75-63 report up to now within the yr that locations them firmly in Wild Card place and three.5 video games behind Cleveland for the AL Central crown in a shocking season that has lengthy appeared positive to earn their skipper consideration for the AL Supervisor of the 12 months award this fall. Because the membership gears up for the ultimate month of the common season, nonetheless, they’ll be with out Quatraro for an indefinite period of time.
Taking Quatraro’s place on the helm of the Royals in the meanwhile is Hoover, 48. A former massive leaguer who appeared in 40 video games throughout seven seasons between 2001 and 2010, Hoover joined the Royals as Quatraro’s bench coach final yr. Previous to taking his present position in Kansas Metropolis, he served because the supervisor of the Rays’ rookie ball crew in 2012 earlier than later serving because the membership’s minor league catching coordinator and ultimately being promoted to the massive league employees because the membership’s main league area coordinator. He served on Kevin Money’s teaching employees in that position from 2019 to 2022. Now, Hoover might be tasked with piloting the shock contenders via at the very least a part of the season’s remaining stretch, and doubtlessly into the postseason relying on the size of Quatraro’s absence.
