Mitch Spence: Everything you need to know

The Royals optioned Spence to Triple-A Omaha on Sunday. Spence wasn't going to be available for at least a few days after he yielded six earned runs on four hits and five walks while covering four innings and tossing 84 pitches in long relief during Saturday's 13-4 loss to the Yankees, so Kansas City will send him to the minors in exchange for a fresh arm. Mason Black was recalled from Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move and will give the Royals another right-handed arm capable of covering multiple innings out of the bullpen.

The Royals recalled Spence from Triple-A Omaha on Thursday. Spence gave up eight earned runs over seven innings during spring training but looked much better during his first start at Triple-A, tossing five shutout innings while allowing four hits and zero walks. Now back in the big leagues, the 27-year-old righty will presumably work in a long relief role, replacing Luinder Avila.

The Royals optioned Spence to Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday. The Athletics traded Spence to Kansas City in February, and after surrendering eight earned runs over seven innings during spring training, he will report to Triple-A to begin his tenure with his new organization. The right-hander owns a 4.77 ERA and 1.40 WHIP across 236 innings in his big-league career and may be recalled later in the season to provide long-relief help.