The Royals filled out their 40-man roster Tuesday, adding three right-handed pitchers to the major-league reserve list — Arnaldo Hernandez, Josh Staumont and Scott Blewett.
The moves coincide with the Major League Baseball deadline and leave exposed a handful of players for the Rule 5 Draft, which takes place Dec. 13 at the annual winter meetings in Las Vegas.
The most notable Royals players left unprotected for the Rule 5 draft include first baseman Frank Schwindel and pitcher Foster Griffin.
Hernandez, 22, posted a 3.96 ERA and 12-5 record in 2018, splitting time between Omaha, Northwest Arkansas and Class A Wilmington.