KC Royals spring training roster cuts tracker: Live updates

Opening Day is drawing closer, and the Kansas City Royals are narrowing down the list of players still in contention for a roster spot. So far, the Royals have cut 24 players from their major league spring training camp, reassigning them to the minors to start the 2025 season.

As of March 16, the Royals still have 44 players in camp.

This article will be updated as further roster cuts are announced.

KC Royals roster cuts: First wave of players assigned to minor league camp on March 3

The Royals made their first round of roster cuts on March 3, reassigning eight players to minor league camp. Pitchers Ben Kudrna, Chandler Champlain, Tyson Guerrero, Steven Zobac, and Beck Way were all included in the wave of cuts, as were catchers Blake Mitchell, Kale Emshoff, and Omar Hernández.

Mitchell is ranked No. 2 on MLB Pipeline's list of the Royals' top 30 prospects in the Royals organization, but a broken right hamate bone on February 22 means he would've been sidelined for the remainder of spring training, and since he isn't expected to debut in the majors until 2027 anyway, his inclusion in the group of cuts isn't surprising.

Right-hander Champlain (Royals' No. 20 prospect) and left-hander Guerrero (No. 24) are both expected to make their MLB debuts this season, but making the Opening Day roster was always going to be a big ask. Still, the two pitchers will almost certainly get called up for relief stints at some point in the year.

Following the first round of cuts, the Royals had 60 players left in their major league camp.

KC Royals roster cuts: Injury sees Javier Vaz assigned to minor league camp on March 8

On March 7, the Royals announced on social media that infielder/outfielder Javier Vaz would be starting at second base for their spring training game against the Los Angeles Angels, but just over two hours later, the 24-year-old was scratched from the lineup without explanation. The following day, Kansas City announced that he had been reassigned to minor league camp.

According to MLB.com's Anne Rogers, Vaz was scratched after he "suffered fractures in two fingers on his right hand while fielding a ball," and was being reassigned to the minors "to rehab." Rogers clarified that he won't be able to throw "for at least a couple of weeks."

Ranked No. 13 on MLB Pipeline's list of the top 30 prospects in the Royals organization, Vaz is expected to make his major league debut this season. His reassignment to the minors left the Royals with 59 players in camp.

KC Royals roster cuts: Luinder Avila optioned to minor league camp on March 9

Despite a strong showing at spring training, pitcher Luinder Avila has been optioned to minor league camp. Kansas City announced the cut on March 9, just three days after the 20-year-old was selected to represent the Royals at the second-annual “Spring Breakout” Prospect Games.

To protect the right-hander from the Rule-5 Draft, the Royals added Avila to their 40-man roster on November 19, 2024. Avila spent a good portion of last season sidelined with an oblique injury, but his performance in the Arizona Fall League — and now spring training — proved his ability. It's certainly not out of the question for Avila to debut in the majors this season, especially if he continues working on his control, but making the Opening Day roster was always a long shot.

Avila's option to the minors left the Royals with 58 players in camp.

KC Royals roster cuts: Six players cut from camp on March 10

The Royals made another wave of roster cuts on March 10, reassigning six players — outfielder Tyler Gentry and pitchers Noah Cameron, Eric Cerantola, Anthony Simonelli, Junior Fernandez, and Kyle Hayes — to minor league camp.

Gentry, Cameron, and Cerantola were also optioned to the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers to start the 2025 season.

Following the roster cuts on March 10, the Royals had 52 players left in camp.

KC Royals roster cuts: Andrew Hoffmann assigned to minor league camp on March 11

On March 11, the Royals announced on social media that right-handed pitcher Andrew Hoffman had been assigned to minor league camp.

Hoffmann's reassignment left the Royals with 51 players in camp.

KC Royals roster cuts: Evan Sisk optioned to minor league camp on March 15

The Royals announced on March 15 that they had optioned left-hander Evan Sick to minor league camp, and he will be optioned to Triple-A to start the 2025 season.

Following the move, the Royals' camp is at 50 players.

KC Royals roster cuts: Six players cut from camp on March 16

On March 16, the Royals announced another wave of roster cuts, sending pitchers Austin Cox, Thomas Hatch, Carter Jensen, Jonathan Bowlan, and Steven Cruz to minor league camp, along with catchers Carter Jensen and Luca Tresh.

Bowlan and Cruz were also optioned to the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers to start 2025.

Following the wave of roster cuts on March 16, the Royals had 44 players left in camp.