MLB Player News

The Royals optioned Spence to Triple-A Omaha on Sunday.

Spence wasn't going to be available for at least a few days after he yielded six earned runs on four hits and five walks while covering four innings and tossing 84 pitches in long relief during Saturday's 13-4 loss to the Yankees, so Kansas City will send him to the minors in exchange for a fresh arm. Mason Black was recalled from Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move and will give the Royals another right-handed arm capable of covering multiple innings out of the bullpen.

The Royals recalled Black from Triple-A Omaha on Sunday.

Black was unable to crack Kansas City's Opening Day roster but will now get a look in the big-league bullpen. The 26-year-old has a 3.86 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 6:5 K:BB over 11.2 innings (seven appearances) with Omaha this year, and he'll provide the Royals with some bullpen depth after Mitch Spence covered four relief innings Saturday.

The Royals transferred McArthur (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday.

McArthur missed the entire 2025 season while completing his recovery from surgery to address an elbow fracture, and though he was considered healthy heading into spring training, he experienced a minor setback before the end of camp. The right-hander resumed throwing bullpen sessions just over a week ago, but he now won't be eligible to join the big-league staff until at least late May. The transaction frees up a 40-man roster spot for catcher Elias Diaz, who was promoted from Triple-A Omaha.

Walters (lat) struck out the side in the eighth inning Friday for Triple-A Columbus.

Through four rehab appearances, Walters has fanned nine batters over four innings. While he showed a noticeable reduction in velocity in his first outing, the right-hander has bounced back in subsequent appearances. He has yet to pitch on back-to-back days or even twice in three days, however, suggesting Walters will not be coming off the 15-day injured list any time soon. MLB.com pegs him for a potential return at some point in May.

The Royals selected Diaz's contract from Triple-A Omaha on Sunday.

The 34-year-old posted a mediocre .536 OPS over 35 plate appearances at Omaha, but he'll join the big club nonetheless to provide Kansas City with a third option behind the plate. With Carter Jensen receiving an afternoon off and Salvador Perez serving as the designated hitter in Sunday's game against the Yankees, Diaz will enter the starting nine right away at catcher and as the No. 9 hitter.

Jensen is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Yankees.

After starting eight straight games at either catcher or designated hitter and going 7-for-27 (.259) with two home runs, six RBI and three runs, Jensen will get a breather. Salvador Perez will return to the lineup Sunday as Kansas City's DH, while newly promoted Elias Diaz makes his first start for the Royals behind the plate.

The Astros acquired Shewmake from the Yankees on Sunday in exchange for right-hander Wilmy Sanchez.

The 28-year-old infielder has previously seen big-league action with Atlanta in 2023 and the White Sox in 2024 and spent all of last season on the Yankees' 40-man roster before being outrighted in February. Shewmake had remained in New York's organization to start the season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, slashing .250/.314/.313 with no home runs and one stolen base over 36 plate appearances. He'll likely head to Triple-A Sugar Land with his new organization.

Ramirez went 0-for-2 with a walk and a stolen base in Saturday's 4-2 win over Baltimore.

Ramirez continues to wreak havoc on the basepaths, having swiped eight bags over the last eight games. That puts him alone atop the league with 10 stolen bases. The 33-year-old is shooting for a third consecutive season with at least 40 steals.

Schneemann started at second base and went 1-for-3 with a run scored in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Orioles.

Schneemann extended his hit streak to seven games and is slashing .314/.352/.549 with eight extra-base hits (two home runs), a stolen base, 11 RBI and eight runs scored over 17 games. On a team that ranks in the bottom half of MLB in batting average (.225, 24th), OPS (.689, 19th) and runs (87, 18th), the versatile Schneemann could find a regular home at second base while Gabriel Arias (hamstring) is sidelined.

Rogers went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Red Sox.

Making just his sixth start of the season through 21 games, Rogers delivered his second hit and third RBI. Both of his hits have been doubles, but he's otherwise gone 0-for-15 with six strikeouts. Rogers is the clear No. 2 catcher in Detroit behind Dillon Dingler and won't see enough playing time to carry any meaningful fantasy value in most formats.