Hunter Renfroe activated

Dan Altavilla is designated for assignment

The Royals activated Hunter Renfroe from the Injured List on Thursday. He had been out since August 24 with a hamstring injury and went 0-for-4 in one rehab game with Double-A Northwest Arkansas this week. To make room on the roster, the Royals optioned pitcher Steven Cruz to Triple-A Omaha.

The move leaves the Royals with just 13 pitchers, while they have 15 hitters. They acquired first baseman Yuli Gurriel and claimed outfielder Tommy Pham and Robbie Grossman off waivers while Renfroe was out. With an off day today, the Royals may not need as many arms, but eventually they will want to get back to the roster max of 14 pitchers, which will require taking a hitter off the roster. The only position players with options remaining are Bobby Witt Jr., Michael Massey, MJ Melendez, Maikel Garcia, Kyle Isbel, Freddy Fermin, and Dairon Blanco. The Royals could also part ways with Adam Frazier or Garrett Hampson.

Renfroe was hitting .237/.312./398 with 12 home runs in 104 games before he got hurt. He has a $7.5 million player option for 2025. The Royals have been using Tommy Pham in right field the last four games, and his three-run home run propelled the Royals to victory Wednesday evening.

Steven Cruz has not allowed a run in three outings with the Royals, striking out two hitters in 3 ¹⁄₃ innings. The Royals also designated pitcher Dan Altvailla for assignment. The 31-year-old right-hander gave up six runs in 3 ²⁄₃ innings earlier this season with the Royals, but had been out since June 20 with an oblique injury.