Jose

Briceno

The 30-year-old chose to explore the free agent market but ultimately decided that a return to the Royals was the best fit for him. Briceño hit .252/.298/.405 with four homers and 21 RBI in 131 plate appearances at Triple-A Omaha during the 2022 season.

Briceño will bolster the Royals’ organizational catching depth this season. The 29-year-old backstop last appeared in the majors during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season with the Angels. He was playing this season for the Lexington Legends of the independent Atlantic League.

Briceño hit .212/.257/.434 with five homers across 109 plate appearances at Triple-A Albuquerque prior to his release. The 28-year-old backstop appeared in two games in the big leagues with the Rockies during the truncated 2020 campaign.

The latest round of subtractions trims the Rockies’ spring training roster to 30 players. Perhaps the most notable name to be included in this round is Bird, who ended up being beaten out by C.J. Cron for the Rockies’ starting job at first base this spring.

Briceno, 28, began his pro career in the Rockies organization but was traded while still in A-ball. He’s posted a .678 OPS over 134 plate appearances in parts of two major league seasons.

Briceno is now off the 40-man roster but remains in the organization as catching depth.

Briceno is no longer needed with Max Stassi back from the injured list.

Briceno will take the place of Jason Castro, who was traded to the Padres on Sunday. The backstop hit just .215 with four homers and 17 RBI for Triple-A Salt Lake in 2019. He will likely split time with Anthony Bemboom over the final month of the season.

The 27-year-old backstop hit just .215/.262/.405 with four homers and 17 RBI in 22 games at Triple-A Salt Lake in 2019. He’ll add minor league catching depth for the Halos.

The move clears a 40-man roster spot for left-hander Adalberto Mejia, who was reclaimed off waivers from the Cardinals on Thursday. Briceno, 26, was batting just .215 with a .262 on-base percentage in 84 plate appearances this season with the Angels’ Triple-A affiliate in Salt Lake City.