Royals Release Twelve Players to Minor League Free Agency
Twelve Kansas City Royals players became minor league free agents after six seasons without a 40-man roster spot.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Baseball
The Kansas City Royals have seen twelve players become minor league free agents, including pitchers Alex Lange, Vince Velasquez, Matt Moore and Scott Alexander, and infielder Abraham Toro. Players become eligible for minor league free agency after six seasons if they have not been added to a 40-man roster.
Why it matters
The move clears roster space within the Royals organization and removes several veterans with extensive big-league experience from the system. For Kansas City fans, it marks the departure of players who appeared for the club in recent seasons.
Alex Lange posted a 6.75 ERA across 59 Royals appearances in 2026, compared with a 4.45 career ERA in 244 2/3 MLB innings. Abraham Toro hit .270/.351/.478 with 19 home runs in 123 games for Triple-A Omaha, while the team's future roster decisions for the others remain unstated.
The players
Kansas City Royals
The Major League Baseball franchise based in Kansas City, Missouri, which has played in the American League Central since 1969.
Alex Lange
A right-handed pitcher who has worked 244 2/3 innings in the major leagues with a career 4.45 ERA.
Scott Alexander
A veteran left-handed reliever with a career 3.36 ERA over 349 big-league appearances spanning 11 seasons.
The details
Under the six-season rule, players who are not added to a 40-man roster become eligible for minor league free agency. Scott Alexander has a career 3.36 ERA across 349 big-league appearances over 11 seasons, and Matt Moore has a 4.39 ERA in 483 appearances.
Timeline
2026: Alex Lange appears in 59 games for the Royals.
November 4, 2026: Twelve Royals players become minor league free agents.
Roadmap
The designations reflect the annual application of MLB's six-season minor league free agency rule, which lets organizations clear 40-man spots each offseason. The Royals' move follows that established pattern rather than departing from it.
Fantasy managers who rostered Alex Lange or Scott Alexander should note the players are no longer on the Royals' active list. The designations also open depth-chart opportunities for remaining Royals pitchers and infielders.
The takeaway
Roster turnover at the end of the season is a routine way teams manage their 40-man rosters, and fans tracking specific players should watch for re-signings or new team announcements.
Further reading
For more on the franchise's offseason moves, explore Baseball coverage for Kansas City.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NBC Sports.
