Carter Jensen’s Error Prompts Royals to Alert His Parents
Kansas City Royals rookie Carter Jensen faced a challenging situation on April 2, 2026. The 22-year-old catcher, known for being a consensus top-50 prospect in MLB, missed his alarm before a game against the Minnesota Twins. As a result, he overslept and was unable to start, prompting the team to bench him in favor of veteran catcher Salvador Perez.
Carter Jensen’s Error Causes Team Adjustments
The Royals managed to adjust by inserting Perez, who was initially preparing to serve as the designated hitter. First baseman Vinnie Pasquantino addressed the team’s reaction, noting how Jensen’s absence affected Perez’s pre-game plans. The Royals lost the game to the Twins with a score of 5-1.
Reactions and Consequences
Jensen took accountability for his mistake after the game. He expressed the following:
- “I didn’t wake up to my alarm.”
- “Slept through it. I don’t really have an excuse — nor should I. It sucks.”
His teammates understood the situation but emphasized the importance of accountability. Pasquantino said, “He’s gonna have to wear it on the chin—same way anybody would have to.” He added that mistakes like this can’t happen at the professional level.
Manager’s Perspective
Royals manager Matt Quatraro described Jensen’s oversleeping as an “oversight.” Despite the error, Jensen came in as a defensive replacement in the ninth inning after Perez had pinch-run for. This provided him with an opportunity to contribute to the game, even if it was in a limited role.
Learning from Mistakes
The incident serves as a valuable lesson for the young catcher. Jensen recognized the impact of his error, saying he felt he let his teammates and coaches down. “Just learn from it and just know it won’t happen again,” he stated.
As the Royals move forward, they will be looking to improve their performance on the field while supporting their rookie in his development as a player.
