Manager Matt Quatraro Ejected During Royals' Sixth Straight Loss

Just last month, the Kansas City Royals ruled the World Baseball Classic.

Royals superstar shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and the United States fell to Venezuela in the final, leaving Royals catcher Salvador Perez and third baseman Maikel Garcia to hoist the trophy. Garcia was named the World Baseball Classic MVP.

Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino, who served as Italy’s captain, made World Baseball Classic history by belting three home runs against Mexico.

None of that momentum translated to the start of the 2026 MLB season.

The Royals have lost nine of their last 11, including an active six-game losing streak. On Saturday at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, Royals manager Matt Quatraro wasn’t around to witness most of his team’s latest loss, as he was ejected in the middle of the first inning.

Quatraro was upset with the umpires for calling a balk on New York Yankees starting pitcher Will Warren when he tried to pick off Garcia at second base.

“It didn’t look heated, but then as Q turned away, it got heated fast,” MLB.com’s Royals beat reporter Anne Rogers relayed. “Now, he’s been ejected.”

Royals bench coach Paul Hoover took over as acting manager for the rest of the game. It devolved into an afternoon to forget for Kansas City when the Yankees put up a five-run third inning and led by as much as 10-0 into the top of the seventh. The Yankees beat the Royals 13-4.

The Yankees improved to 12-9, while the Royals dropped to 7-14, tying them with the New York Mets for the worst record in MLB.

The Royals will try to end their losing streak when they close out their series against the Yankees at 1:35 p.m. EST on Sunday.

2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.

This story was originally published April 18, 2026 at 7:54 PM.