OXON HILL, Md.
The Royals lost two minor-league pitchers in the annual Rule 5 draft Thursday, which concluded the Winter Meetings at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center.
In the first round of the draft, the Detroit Tigers selected left-hander Daniel Stumpf, who was selected in the Rule 5 last year by Philadelphia and ultimately returned to the Royals. The Toronto Blue Jays also selected right-hander Glenn Sparkman, who pitched at four levels in 2016 after returning from Tommy John surgery in the summer of 2015.
Both players must immediately be added to the 40-man roster and remain on the 25-man roster all season or be returned to the Royals for half ($25,000) of the $50,000 acquisition cost.