Rookie Royals Catcher Oversleeps, Misses Pregame

Carter Jensen vows to set multiple alarms for day games after missing start

Apr. 4, 2026 at 3:15am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball player in motion, with fragmented limbs and equipment overlapping against a backdrop of stadium seating and field elements, conveying the chaotic energy of a player rushing to make it to the game on time.A rookie's oversleeping mishap exposes the high-stakes pressures and split-second timing of professional baseball.Kansas City Today

Kansas City Royals rookie catcher Carter Jensen was scratched from the starting lineup against the Minnesota Twins after oversleeping and missing pregame warmups. The 22-year-old took responsibility for the oversight, saying he simply slept through his alarm and felt he let down his teammates and coaches. Manager Matt Quatraro called it an isolated incident, stressing that Jensen is a hard worker with no history of issues.

Why it matters

Oversleeping and missing a game is a common rookie mistake, but it can undermine a player's standing with the team and damage trust with coaches and teammates. Jensen will need to demonstrate reliability and commitment to his craft to maintain his spot on the major league roster.

The details

Jensen scrambled to the stadium once he woke up, but the decision to scratch him from the lineup had already been made. He ended up appearing in the game in the ninth inning as a catcher, but the Royals lost 5-1. Jensen acknowledged there was "no excuse" for his tardiness and vowed that it won't happen again, saying he plans to start setting multiple alarms for day games going forward.

  • On April 4, 2026, Jensen overslept and missed the Royals' pregame warmups.

The players

Carter Jensen

A 22-year-old rookie catcher for the Kansas City Royals.

Matt Quatraro

The manager of the Kansas City Royals.

Vinnie Pasquantino

The first baseman for the Kansas City Royals.

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What they’re saying

“No running from it. I simply slept through my alarm and feel I let down my teammates and coaches.”

— Carter Jensen, Royals Catcher

“I know it was not his favorite drive to the field this morning, but it wasn't our favorite morning either, trying to figure out what was going on.”

— Vinnie Pasquantino, Royals First Baseman

What’s next

Jensen has vowed to set multiple alarms for day games going forward to ensure he arrives on time and avoids a repeat of this incident.

The takeaway

This rookie mistake by Carter Jensen serves as a reminder that even small oversights can have big consequences in professional sports. Jensen will need to demonstrate his reliability and commitment to the team to maintain his spot on the major league roster.