KANSAS CITY -- Cam Devanney was taking a shower on Monday night at his apartment in Omaha, Neb., getting ready for bed and thinking ahead to Tuesday’s Triple-A Omaha game, all while Storm Chasers manager Mike Jirschele was calling Devanney over and over again.
When Devanney emerged from the shower, he had five missed calls.
Upon quickly calling Jirschele back, Devanney learned he was headed to the big leagues. Suddenly, a nice and relaxing night turned into a rush of emotions.
“Just a rush because it was late at night, I was getting ready for bed, and then my whole day flipped upside down,” Devanney said. “Definitely crazy. My girlfriend, Shannon, was there, so we had a moment, and I got to call my parents and some family and friends. That was exhausting but a lot of fun.”
The Royals selected Devanney to the roster on Tuesday afternoon ahead of their game against the Pirates at Kauffman Stadium. Outfielder Mark Canha was placed on the 10-day injured list with left elbow epicondylitis -- commonly known as tennis elbow, which Canha has been dealing with for a week or so, but aggravated it on a couple of swings Monday night.
To clear a 40-man spot, the Royals also transferred lefty Cole Ragans to the 60-day IL as he makes his way back from a left rotator cuff strain. The move was procedural; Ragans won’t be back by the 60-day mark (Aug. 7) anyway. He just started playing light catch on Monday and will slowly build back up from there, with the Royals targeting a mid- to late-August return if everything goes well.
The 28-year-old Devanney is the latest hitter the Royals are giving a big league opportunity after continued production in Triple-A. Originally drafted by the Brewers in the 15th round of the 2019 Draft out of Elon University in North Carolina, Devanney was hitting .272 with a .931 OPS, 18 home runs and 55 RBIs for the Storm Chasers this year, his second season in the Royals’ organization after they acquired him and pitcher Ryan Brady from Milwaukee for Taylor Clarke in December 2023.
Now, both Clarke and Devanney are on the Royals’ active roster after Clarke re-signed with Kansas City this past offseason.
“Cam’s had a great year in Triple-A,” manager Matt Quatraro said. “Had a good year last year. He’s producing there. He’s played really well in the infield. He’s played some outfield as well. His versatility and another right-handed bat is something we’re looking for.”
Devanney is mainly a shortstop, but because the Royals are covered at that position by one of the best players in baseball, Devanney has increased his versatility over the past two seasons. He’s moved around the infield more, playing second and third base, and introduced the outfield this season in Triple-A, although he’s only played two games in left field.
Quatraro said the team is comfortable playing Devanney in the outfield, although the Royals might move their other infielders -- like Nick Loftin or Maikel Garcia -- out there if Devanney is playing.
Devanney was on the bench Tuesday night, but could draw starts against lefties -- like Canha was doing before he got hurt.
“It’s been a lot of fun,” Devanney said about increasing his versatility. “I think how you survive in this game is [by] being adaptable, versatile. I understand the dynamic up here and what they’re looking for. I’m just trying to fit their needs and trying to help the team however I can.”