Injuries & Moves: Stratton, Renfroe exercise player options for '25
The Royals' injuries and roster moves page will be updated throughout the offseason.
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Nov. 4: RHP Chris Stratton, OF Hunter Renfroe pick up 2025 player options
As expected, the Royals saw Stratton and Renfroe exercise their player options for 2025 ahead of Monday’s deadline to resolve any contract decisions.
Stratton, 34, signed a two-year deal worth $8 million on Dec. 15 and made $3.5 million this past season before picking up the $4.5 million option for next year. The reliever posted a 5.55 ERA and 1.474 WHIP across 58 1/3 innings in his first season with Kansas City. He ended the season on the injured list with a right forearm flexor strain but is expected to be healthy heading into Spring Training. Stratton had a disappointing season on the field, posting a career-high 12.8% walk rate, but if he can get back to what he showed in 2023 with the Cardinals and Rangers, the Royals could use his innings in the bullpen.
Renfroe, 32, signed a two-year, $13 million deal on Dec. 19. He made $5.5 million in 2024 and picked up the $7.5 million option for ’25 (foregoing the $1 million buyout attached to the option). The right fielder wasn’t as consistent as he or the Royals had hoped going into the year, slashing .229/.297/.392 with 15 homers and 18 doubles. He saw his playing time dwindle at the end of the year and isn’t locked into an everyday role going into ’25, as Kansas City is once again searching for another impact bat for the middle of its lineup.
Nov. 4: Royals decline 2025 mutual option on INF/OF Adam Frazier
In another expected move, the Royals declined their side of the $8.5 million mutual option with Frazier for next year, instead paying the 32-year-old a $2.5 million buyout and making him a free agent. Frazier only slashed .202/.282/.294 with the Royals in ’24, serving mainly as a bench player or injury replacement when second baseman Michael Massey was on the injured list.
Nov. 4: RHP Kyle Wright reinstated from 60-day injured list
Monday also brought the deadline to reinstate any 60-day IL players back to the 40-man, and the Royals did so with Wright, their lone player still on the IL after they outrighted Josh Taylor. Wright missed the entire 2024 season after he had shoulder surgery at the beginning of last offseason. The Royals knew that timeline when they acquired him from the Braves last November, making a move thinking a year ahead.
Now, Wright is expected to be healthy heading into Spring Training, although he might be limited with his workload after a year off from pitching. Still, the Royals view him as solid depth, whether that comes in the rotation or bullpen. The 29-year-old is two seasons removed from his 21-win, 3.19 ERA season in 2022.
Nov. 1: LHP Evan Sisk selected to Major League roster
With Sisk set to become a Minor League free agent on Monday, the Royals didn’t want to lose the sidearming lefty reliever and added him to their Major League team. They have plenty of roster space after seven players became free agents and they outrighted lefty reliever Josh Taylor, who was on the 60-day injured list and elected free agency. The Royals have 33 players on their 40-man roster, although they need to add right-hander Kyle Wright back from the 60-day IL on Monday.
Sisk, 27, posted a 1.57 ERA in 58 games with Triple-A Omaha in 2024 and was knocking on the door of the Majors throughout the second half. He struck out 81 batters in 57 1/3 innings while walking 26. Sisk, whom the Royals acquired in the '23 trade that sent Michael A. Taylor to the Twins, offers Kansas City's bullpen an interesting look from the left side. He’ll get a chance to earn an Opening Day roster spot in Spring Training.
INJURY UPDATES
RHP Kyle Wright (right shoulder surgery)
Expected return: 2025
The Royals traded for Wright in November 2023 in exchange for Jackson Kowar knowing Wright was coming off shoulder surgery after the 2023 season. They made the move thinking ahead a year, hoping Wright, who posted a 3.19 ERA with 21 wins in ’22 with the Braves, could help them in ’25 and beyond.
Wright is expected to be healthy come Spring Training 2025, although he might be limited with his workload after a year off from pitching. The Royals view him as solid pitching depth. They reinstated him from the 60-day IL on Nov. 4, and he is arbitration-eligible for the second season this winter. (Last updated: Nov. 4)