By MATT PIKE
The Kansas City Royals have added to their bullpen competition in Spring Training, trading a non roster invitee to the A's for a former Rule 5 pick who was recently designated for assignment.
The Royals acquired right-handed pitcher Mitch Spence from the A's in exchange for right-handed pitcher A.J. Causey. To make room on the 40-man roster for Spence, the Royals placed right-handed pitcher Alec Marsh on the 60-day Injured List.
Spence pitched the last two seasons with the Athletics. Prior to the 2024 season, he was selected first overall from the Yankees in the Rule 5 Draft and spent his entire Major League debut season on the A’s roster, making 35 appearances (24 starts). He made his 1st 11 appearances in relief, before moving to the starting rotation in May.
In 2025 with the Athletics, Spence made 32 appearances ( eight starts). He made his first 22 appearances in relief, during which he posted a 4.38 ERA, giving up 19 earned runs in 39 innings pitched. He moved into the starting rotation on June 5th and made seven starts before being optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas. He remained there until returning to the big league team on September 10th.
Over two big league seasons, Spence has pitched 236 innings, issuing just 70 walks. He was originally selected by the Yankees in the 10th round of the 2019 Draft.
Causey was in his first big league camp with the Royals this spring, after going 11-5 with nine saves in 48 appearances last season between High-A Quad Cities and Double-A Northwest Arkansas, and pitched to a 1.72 ERA. Causey made nine appearances for Surprise in the 2025 Arizona Fall League and had a 7.45 ERA. He was originally selected by Kansas City in the 5th round of the 2024 Draft.
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.