MLB rookie cut from starting lineup after sleeping in but vows to ‘set a million alarms’

“There’s a lot to learn from it. Making sure if I don’t set one alarm, maybe set three, four, as many as possible,” Carl Jensen said.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A rookie catcher was cut from the starting lineup after he slept through his alarms and arrived late to practice. 

Carl Jensen of the Kansas City Royals overslept, forcing the team to shuffle their starting lineup for Thursday’s game against the Minnesota Twins. 

Team manager Matt Quatraro said Jensen was feeling “terrible” about the situation and was taking accountability for his error, according to a report by the MLB.

“No running from it,” Jensen said. “Just didn’t wake up to my alarm. Slept through it. Don’t really have an excuse, nor should I. It sucks. Happens. I felt like I let my teammates down, coaches down. Just learn from it and know it won’t happen again.”

According to the MLB, Jensen said he woke up in a “full panic” and rushed to get to the stadium.

Jensen eventually arrived, but not early enough to prepare adequately to start the game. He did end up coming in as Kansas City’s catcher in the ninth inning of the Royals’ 5-1 loss.

Salvador Perez, who was expecting to be Kansas City’s designated hitter Thursday, ended up catching the first eight innings.

“There’s a lot to learn from it. Making sure if I don’t set one alarm, maybe set three, four, as many as possible,” Jensen said. “Moving forward, that’s what I’m going to do. Set a million alarms. Make sure I’m up. It stinks, though.”

Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino said Jensen, a 22-year-old rookie, needs to learn from this experience.

“First and foremost, I’m glad Carter’s OK,” Pasquantino told reporters. “I mean, that was kind of the initial thought when you’re trying to get a hold of his parents and everything like that — just make sure he’s OK.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.