Royals’ Renfroe and Stratton pick up player options; Wright reinstated from 60-day injured list

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Royals outfielder Hunter Renfroe and reliever Chris Stratton picked up their player options on Monday, and right-hander Kyle Wright was restored to the 60-day injured list.

Renfroe earned $5.5 million last season and will earn $7.5 million next season as the 32-year-old outfielder hopes to rebound from a poor season. He hit just .229 with 15 homers and 18 doubles, and was often relegated to the bench in overtime as Kansas City secured a wild-card spot in the playoffs.

Stratton made $3.5 million last season and will make $4.5 million next season. He will also try to bounce back from a 5.55 ERA and command issues before ending the season on the injured list with a right forearm flexor strain.

Wright was acquired last year in a trade with the Braves, even though the Royals knew he would miss the entire season recovering from shoulder surgery. All along, they had hoped that the 29-year-old right-hander, who won 21 games with a 3.19 ERA in 2022, would be ready for spring training and potentially fill the final open spot in the starting rotation.

The Royals previously declined their mutual option on Adam Frazier, paying him a $2.5 million buyout rather than bringing him back for $8.5 million next season. In his lone year in Kansas City, he hit just .202.