Overview
- Starling Marte was designated for assignment Monday and removed from the Royals’ 40-man roster, starting the standard waiver window for claims or outright options.
- Kansas City activated Vinnie Pasquantino and Maikel Garcia and recalled lefty reliever Connor Thomas, moves that created the roster openings filled by Marte’s DFA and the demotion of Josh Rojas.
- Marte signed a one-year, $1 million deal in spring training and appeared in 59 games for the Royals in 2026, hitting .242/.298/.314 with two homers and a .611 OPS in 168 plate appearances.
- Under the DFA process Marte can be claimed off waivers, outrighted to the minors, or released, and as a veteran he could reject an outright assignment and opt for free agency if he clears waivers.
- The Royals are out of playoff contention and Marte had slipped to fourth or fifth on the outfield depth chart, making him expendable even as his long career and status as the active stolen-base leader give him potential appeal to contenders.