{"time":1771795422320,"version":"2.22.2","blocks":[{"id":"mly98xgw","type":"video","data":{"url":"https://us-central1-deweb-519a7.cloudfunctions.net/mediaService-api/videos/77855df8-4501-4b96-b3b8-e7fca8e11d9b/mp4","caption":"","autoplay":false,"controls":true,"muted":false,"stretched":true,"width":0,"height":0,"image":{"url":"https://us-central1-deweb-519a7.cloudfunctions.net/mediaService-api/videos/77855df8-4501-4b96-b3b8-e7fca8e11d9b/thumbnail"},"cdn":{"videoId":"77855df8-4501-4b96-b3b8-e7fca8e11d9b","libraryId":"372172","collectionId":"30032062-eefd-4041-a355-12ad05bc987b","cdnBaseUrl":"https://vz-052fc010-b27.b-cdn.net","mp4Url":"https://us-central1-deweb-519a7.cloudfunctions.net/mediaService-api/videos/77855df8-4501-4b96-b3b8-e7fca8e11d9b/mp4","thumbnailUrl":"https://us-central1-deweb-519a7.cloudfunctions.net/mediaService-api/videos/77855df8-4501-4b96-b3b8-e7fca8e11d9b/thumbnail","previewAnimationUrl":"https://vz-052fc010-b27.b-cdn.net/77855df8-4501-4b96-b3b8-e7fca8e11d9b/preview.webp"}}},{"id":"8lMyYynhpY","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Kansas City Royals outfielder Lane Thomas is ready to put 2025 far behind him."}},{"id":"3aKg-SeTsh","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":" After a nightmare season with the Cleveland Guardians that saw him land on the injured list three separate times and appear in just 39 games, Thomas arrived at spring training this year with his body finally cooperating. "}},{"id":"1C9Ylz9Qno","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"He declared himself fully healthy on February 19, and the difference from a year ago is hard to miss."}},{"id":"290SYAWi1l","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The quote that stood out the most from Thomas this spring was a simple one, but it said everything. "}},{"id":"zybLHLSzy1","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"\"Just in a better mood,\" he said. \"A lot of guys play through injuries and stuff. Kind've grind through it. Just the daily lifestyle — it's easier. I've got kids and chasing them around is a little easier without pain.\""}},{"id":"DctMHUFG9F","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"That is the kind of thing that does not show up in a stat line, but it matters just as much as anything else. "}},{"id":"tP5ZLOqQ7N","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"When a player is pain-free and in a good headspace, the game comes easier."}},{"id":"9JCwL5Ci8U","type":"header","data":{"text":"A Lost Season With Cleveland","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"GTzzofWY4g","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Thomas hit just .160 with a .518 OPS in 2025 while battling a right wrist bone bruise and a stubborn case of plantar fasciitis that required surgery in September. "}},{"id":"Yz_N9lLSdk","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The injuries made it nearly impossible to build any rhythm at the plate. "}},{"id":"i-OKNwYo-g","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Kansas City signed Thomas to a one-year, $5.25 million deal this past December, betting on the version of him that showed up in 2023, when he hit 28 home runs and swiped 20 bases for the Washington Nationals while posting a .783 OPS and 3.3 WAR."}},{"id":"QjsSQhU-Ho","type":"embed","data":{"service":"twitter","source":"https://x.com/MLB/status/1845177293829972339?s=20","embed":"https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?id=1845177293829972339","width":600,"height":300,"caption":"","meta":{"title":"MLB (@MLB) on X","site_name":"X (formerly Twitter)","description":"Lane Thomas gets the Cleveland crowd on its feet with one BIG swing 💪","image":{"url":"https://pbs.twimg.com/ext_tw_video_thumb/1845177229812047884/pu/img/L3fLQnXVvDQ9ePXF.jpg:large"}}}},{"id":"9hAOAH-MWv","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The Royals finished 82-80 last season and are trying to take the next step in 2026. General manager J.J. Picollo identified the outfield as the top priority this winter, and Thomas was the answer. "}},{"id":"mjKEMoPm0A","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"He brings right-handed pop and versatility to a lineup that leans heavily left-handed, and his ability to cover all three outfield spots adds real value to a team with bigger ambitions."}},{"id":"kcQnkZsqtg","type":"header","data":{"text":"What Thomas Can Bring to Kansas City","level":2,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"V7wzzQnJEC","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The Royals are not asking Thomas to be the star of the show. With Bobby Witt Jr. and Vinnie Pasquantino anchoring the lineup, his role is more specific. "}},{"id":"iouKUzlfyf","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Thomas has been one of the best outfielders in baseball against left-handed pitching over the past three seasons, owning an .876 OPS against southpaws. "}},{"id":"4A1tXZkboO","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"He punishes lefties, plays solid defense, and brings elite sprint speed sitting in the 94th percentile. "}},{"id":"qhrgF40eCC","type":"embed","data":{"service":"twitter","source":"https://x.com/SportsRadio810/status/2024543756855148557?s=20","embed":"https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?id=2024543756855148557","width":600,"height":300,"caption":"","meta":{"title":"Sports Radio 810 WHB (@SportsRadio810) on X","site_name":"X (formerly Twitter)","description":"Lane Thomas describes how he's feeling health-wise after his injury from last season.\n\n#Royals l #SpringTraining","image":{"url":"https://pbs.twimg.com/amplify_video_thumb/2024543360191459328/img/CtbpayzoRNp32P9m.jpg:large"}}}},{"id":"61VDDwbD4K","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The Royals see him as a key piece of their platoon strategy, and if he stays healthy, that role could expand quickly."}},{"id":"rUyqhgJwV9","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The Royals' projected Opening Day roster has Thomas slotted in as a regular contributor, and many are already pointing to Kansas City as a real threat to win the AL Central. "}},{"id":"OgRjN3ZNZC","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"If Thomas produces close to his pre-injury form, he could be the outfield boost that pushes this team over the top. "}},{"id":"PEGdRzDS_N","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"After chasing his kids around without pain all offseason, it sounds like he is more than ready to get started."}}]}

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