Alec Marsh: Everything you need to know

The Royals placed Marsh (shoulder) on the 60-day injured list Thursday. Marsh missed all of 2025 due to shoulder problems, and after undergoing surgery in November to address the issue, he's expected to miss the entire 2026 campaign as well. His move to the 60-day IL clears space on the 40-man roster for Mitch Spence, whom the Royals acquired in a trade with the Athletics on Thursday.

Marsh underwent surgery in October to repair a labral tear in his right shoulder, MLB.com reports. Marsh missed the entire 2025 season with shoulder issues and it was concluded last month that surgery was required. He is expected to need around a year to recover, so the right-hander is unlikely to be ready to pitch in a big-league game again until 2027. Marsh posted a 4.53 ERA and 123:39 K:BB over 129 innings for Kansas City in 2024.

The Royals announced Aug. 15 that Marsh hasn't resumed throwing since receiving an injection for his sore right shoulder at the end of July, MLB.com reports. Marsh has been on the shelf throughout 2025 after he first experienced shoulder tightness during his offseason throwing program and then experienced multiple setbacks over the ensuing months. The Royals are hopeful that the injection will help resolve the discomfort in his shoulder, but Marsh hopes of contributing at any point this season appear to have been dashed. He could start throwing again in September, but the Royals' main focus seems to be ensuring that Marsh has a normal offseason and is ready to compete for a spot on the big-league pitching staff next spring.