Michael Massey has embraced a new role on the Royals. And it’s elevated his game
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Massey was ticketed last season to play a dual infield‑outfield role.
- Massey used soft tissue work and a Shiftwave chair in the offseason.
- With India sidelined for the season, Massey will be needed more at second base.
Michael Massey jolted into place.
As if he were shot out of a cannon, he tilted his eyes and contoured his body with velocity.
There was an incoming target.
In mere seconds, Massey’s brain went into overdrive. First, he analyzed a reverberating sound — which happened to be a loud thwack from a wooden bat. Next, he tracked the baseball’s flight path. And finally, he zeroed in on a possible location.
Massey was on the hunt. He sprinted across the spacious outfield and flashed his premium leather glove skyward.
The ball nestled in his glove. Massey quickly retrieved it and fired it back into the infield.
The defensive play ended the inning.
As he ran off the field, he was met with ceremonious applause — something more and more common for the veteran standout.
However, this reaction was a little different. Known as a second baseman, Massey could finally add a new entry to his resume: Kansas City Royals outfielder.
“When he’s gone to play the outfield, it’s come naturally to him,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said.
Massey, 28, had spent his entire career at second base. He thrived at the keystone position, but the club altered plans last season.
The reason?
The Royals acquired Jonathan India from the Cincinnati Reds. India was brought in to add an offensive boost while surrounding a young core in Bobby Witt Jr., Maikel Garcia and Vinnie Pasquantino.
At the time, the Royals were going to figure out the defensive arrangement. The club tried both Massey and India in the outfield. However, it became clear that Massey was more equipped to handle the rigors of both positions.
So, Massey was ticketed for a dual role. Meanwhile, India was kept stationary at second base — where he is admittedly more comfortable.
It took Massey a while to adjust. He also dealt with various injuries that resulted in a disappointing 2025 campaign. There was wrist soreness, an ankle sprain and back tightness that cost him significant time.
Massey played in just 77 games. And the uneven availability cost him a chance to fully adjust to his new role within the organization.
Thus, Massey had a choice to make. He decided to use this offseason to get healthy and hone his craft.
“You’ve got to manage your workload,” Massey said. “Obviously, I’ve got some injuries over my career. So it’s making sure you are not doing too much. But at the same time, it’s making sure you’re prepared to make the plays you gotta make.”
A different routine
Massey entered the offseason with a clear goal.
With the help of Royals massage therapist Nicky Stoyles, Massey looked to incorporate different techniques to keep his body in great shape. He focused on soft tissue work with the idea to release muscle tension and keep his ligaments feeling loose.
“Nicky’s been really helpful,” Massey said. “Just getting some of that body work done, you know, weekly, and I would say a couple times a week. Just being able to keep my muscles fluid and not tight. So that’s probably been as important as anything. It’s just making sure I’m getting in there and getting rid of the day’s tension. And coming back the next day ready to rock.”
At home, Massey also has a Shiftwave chair that helps regulate his nervous system. It offers full-body vibration and zero-gravity positioning that reduces postural effort and physical load after a draining day.
Massey believes the massage treatment has helped. He dealt with a Grade 2 left calf strain this spring but returned quickly. The injury usually requires a 4-8 week recovery time. Massey was able to return in a little over four weeks.
“The last year or two, I’ve probably gotten into that,” Massey said of the massage therapy. “One, we didn’t have access to it 2-3 years ago. So yeah, that’s been a big help for sure.”
Massey understood his body needed to handle the increased workload. The ability to stay loose and receptive to his on-field work was key to his new on-field role. If done right, Massey could remain available — and ultimately play every day.
“Yeah, it’s not easy,” Massey said, “... being able to compartmentalize and keep your focus on trying to win the game. And you know, help the pitcher and help the team any way you can. So it’s definitely difficult going between two (positions) instead of one. But it’s kind of my role right now. And it’s just to make sure I’m prepared to do both.”
A centralized plan
In order to play different positions, the Royals coordinated with Massey to alter his pregame routine. As such, there’s a lot of nuance that comes with being prepared to play multiple spots.
Massey has three different gloves — an infield glove, outfield one and training mitt — that he uses to take pregame defense.
On outfield days, Massey usually fields ground balls on the left-side of the infield. That helps keep his throwing motion intact as he mimics making a longer overhand throw.
“I work on my throws from the infield,” Massey said. “And then I kind of stretch it out and really work on getting four-seam carry for when I’ve got to make longer throws in the outfield. So I really utilize my catcher team and kind of take care of both.”
When Massey isn’t playing the outfield, he’s generally doing pregame work at second base. It’s his natural position, so the work is more functional. He believes it’s an easier transition to go from infield to outfield, than vice versa.
“I use the small glove a lot just to make sure I’m getting low to the ground,” Massey said.
There is another aspect at play. In the outfield, Massey has to work on his ability to catch flyballs from different angles. It’s why his work with Royals first base coach Damon Hollins is so important.
“You know, it’s balls off the bat and just kind of talking through some stuff,” Massey said.
Royals infield coach Jose Alguacil is also a big part of the process. He generally works with Massey on the infield grass multiple times a week.
Alguacil understands the difficulty of playing two positions, so he tries to tailor Massey’s warmup to better assist with where he is on a given night.
“Some people think the transition is easy,” Alguacil said. “It’s not easy, especially for guys that haven’t played that position before. In the infield, everything comes more natural for him. And the outfield, he’s done a great job. But the mental part going from the grass to the dirt is a little different. It changes a lot of stuff, and that’s why these guys have to be in the right spot mentally.”
Massey works with Alguacil before every game. Their usual focus is to refine two distinct throws.
As mentioned earlier, there is the overhand throw, but infielders also have a three-quarter throw — that you commonly see making turns to a desired base. It’s a shorter release and one that requires a smoother technique.
“We want to just manage the way he throws the ball and try to eliminate injuries,” Alguacil said. “Try to keep that accuracy at the best path. That’s what we are doing with Massey.”
The different training sessions are important in helping Massey feel prepared.
This season, Massey is hitting .224 with a home run and seven RBIs in 49 at-bats. He has played 14 games at second base and three in left field.
“His numbers haven’t been reflective of I think the quality of his at-bats throughout the time since he’s been back,” Quatraro said. “And now to see him get some results, I think you’re going to see that uptick in confidence in the quality of at-bats continue. We’ve seen him over the last couple of years hit lefties. We’ve seen him obviously play elite defense, so he brings a lot to us.”
A new path forward
While Massey can shift to the outfield, he could wind up primarily at second base with India sidelined with a shoulder injury.
India underwent labral repair surgery and will miss the remainder of the season.
It’s possible Massey still goes to the outfield on occasion. However, he will be needed more on the infield moving forward.
The Royals will likely manage his workload. The club can shift utilityman Nick Loftin to the keystone spot when needed.
Massey is available for either role. He just wants to help the team win games after starting out April with a disappointing record.
“Obviously feel for Jonathan having to go through that,” Massey said. “I know he’s been dealing with that for a little while. So, happy he will be able to recover and come back healthy. … Yeah, whatever the team needs. If that’s second, left, pinch hit or start — that’s my role and I’ll be ready for whatever.”
The Royals will continue to evaluate options at the position. The club likes what both Massey and Loftin provide. Their versatility will be important as Quatraro continues to play the matchups.
“We feel good about that,” Quatraro said. “These guys are good players and they complement each other well. You know, Loftin can move around the field, to the left side of the infield and to the outfield. Massey can go to the outfield if need be. But we feel really good about their defense and we feel really good about the way they are swinging the bat, too.”
Massey has two additional years of team control left. He is slated to hit free agency ahead of the 2029 season.
The Royals believe in his skill set and look forward to how he improves in the dual role.
“Well, right now, his role for this team is to go back and forth,” Royals general manager J.J. Picollo said. “So he’s fully accepted that and he knows how to work.”
