Pratto and Velazquez were subjected to waivers, but both managed to go unclaimed and were sent to Triple-A. The Royals have cleared three 40-man roster spots with Carlos Hernandez being claimed by the Phillies. Pratto and Velazquez will serve as minor league depth in case the Royals have an injury at the major league level.

Pratto is 2-for-13. The former top prospect is coming off a poor .242/.324/.410 season in Triple-A and is now out of options. The Royals are giving him outfield time in the hopes that he’ll crack the roster as a bench player, but he’d seem to be a long shot at this point.

The Royals are also using Jonathan India and Michael Massey in the outfield during spring to try to increase their roster flexibility. Pratto is out of minor league options, so the Royals would have to subject him to waivers if he doesn’t make the opening day roster. As a result, they’re trying to find multiple ways to ensure he can be useful to the team if he starts the season as a bench bat. He should remain off fantasy radars for now.

Pratto has been shipped back to the minors following Thursday’s game against the Yankees with Adam Frazier likely back for Friday’s series opener against the Dodgers out in Los Angeles.