Mason

Black

The Royals desperately needed to add a fresh arm to their bullpen mix on Sunday and Black makes perfect sense as he has worked as a starter in the past and can give them multiple innings. He posted a 3.86 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and a 6/5 K/BB ratio over 11 2/3 innings in his first seven appearances at Triple-A Omaha. He can continue to be ignored for fantasy purposes.

Bergert’s departure from camp is a notable development since it virtually guarantees that Noah Cameron will have a rotation spot to open the year. The 26-year-old righty posted a respectable 3.66 ERA (4.32 xERA), 1.26 WHIP and 73/35 K/BB ratio across 76 1/3 innings between the Royals and Padres as a rookie last year. Misner and Rave were candidates for a spot on Kansas City’s bench but will head back to the minors to open the year. They profile as platoon options at the highest level.

There was some hope that Black, who was DFA’d Thursday, would turn into a mid-rotation starter a couple of years back, but he went just 1-5 with a 6.47 ERA in eight starts and two relief appearances with the Giants the last two seasons, and his formerly impressive minor league strikeout rates have really fallen off (29% in 2022, 30% in 2023, 24% in 2024, 21% in 2025). He has an option left and the Royals have ample starting pitching depth, so Black figures to open 2026 back in Triple-A.

Black’s removal from San Francisco’s 40-man mix doesn’t come as a shock after he posted a disastrous 6.47 ERA across 40 1/3 innings over 10 appearances (eight starts) in the big leagues over the past two seasons.

Black threw worked four innings in relief during Friday’s game, and the Giants will call up Tristan Beck to provide a fresh multi-inning arm for the San Francisco bullpen.

Black gets the call to join San Francisco’s relief mix ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Diamondbacks with rookie Carson Seymour returning to the minors. The 25-year-old posted a bloated 6.44 ERA and 31/15 K/BB ratio over 36 1/3 innings (nine appearances, eight starts) last year in his first taste of the big leagues. He figures to operate in long relief.

Luciano was moved to the outfield this spring, and the Giants will give him more reps in the grass at the Triple-A level before a potential call-up. Black is one of the more talented arms in the San Francisco system and could make appearances for the Giants by the end of 2025, but his inconsistent command makes him a tough sell from a fantasy perspective.

Black is sent down after allowing four runs over 2 2/3 innings Wednesday against the D_Backs. The 24-year-old right-hander finished his season with a 6.44 ERA and 31/15 K/BB over 36 1/3 innings, but showed flashes of potentially being a successful starter if he can keep the free passes in check.

Black struggled with command in this one, issuing five walks against the Diamondbacks. Three hits, two walks, and a sacrifice fly in the second inning. He loaded the bases with two walks and a single in the third inning before walking in a fourth run. That would be it for Black, who exits with the four runs allowed and three strikeouts with two outs in the third. The 24-year-old right-hander ends the season with a 6.44 ERA, 1.68 WHIP, and a 31/15 K/BB ratio across 36 1/3 innings.

Black surrendered just four hits in the contest, and he struck out four and walked one. He threw 54-of-84 pitches for strikes; not an elite number, but a nice number to see from a player that has dealt with command problems in his starts. His ERA is still 5.84 even with the scoreless outing, but there’s been just enough good from Black to suggest he can be a fantasy-relevant starter in the coming seasons.