KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – As the Kansas City Royals attempt to improve one of the worst offenses in Major League Baseball, they’ll do so without veteran outfielder Hunter Renfroe.
The 33-year-old outfielder was designated for assignment on Friday, the club announced prior to a three-game series in Minnesota against the Twins. The second-year Royals outfielder struggled mightily through two months, posting a .182 batting average in 35 games this season.
Renfroe failed to hit a home run this season and struck out 21 times to just eight walks en route to a career-worst -1.5 Wins Above Replacement (WAR). Through 51 games, the Royals are 26th in runs scored.
The Royals recalled utilityman Nick Loftin from Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move.
Kansas City Royals second baseman Nick Loftin (12) in the sixth inning of a baseball game Friday, July 5, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)(David Zalubowski | AP)
Loftin, 26, had a .295 batting average with 4 home runs, 24 RBI, 12 stolen bases, and a .451 on-base percentage for the Storm Chasers this season. In 210 career at-bats with the Royals, he’s had a .229 batting average.
Renfroe had signed a two-year, $13 million contract with the Royals prior to the 2024 season. The second season of the deal featured a $7.5 million player option, which Renfroe opted into ahead of the 2025 season. During his first year in Kansas City, Renfroe hit .229 with 15 home runs and 52 RBI.
The Royals open their three-game series in Minnesota Friday night at 7:10 p.m. CT.
Copyright 2025 KCTV. All rights reserved.