Stephen

Woods

Kansas City plucked Woods away from the Rays in December and will ultimately send a player to be named later or cash considerations to Tampa Bay to officially retain his rights. The 25-year-old right-hander posted a promising 1.88 ERA and 79/33 K/BB ratio across 86 1/3 innings last season at High-A Charlotte. He is not part of the 40-man roster but could see action with the Royals at some point in 2020.

Woods suffered a lateral left ankle sprain and mild high ankle sprain during a Cactus League game back in late February, but he’s made good use of the shutdown period and should have a spot on the Royals’ active 30-man roster leading into the 60-game campaign. The 25-year-old right-hander was plucked away from the Rays this winter in the Rule 5 Draft. He’ll likely work in long relief for Kansas City.

The Rule 5 pick has continued to toss lightly and the hope is he’ll be able to throw at full effort in a couple weeks. Obviously, he’s not going to be ready for Opening Day, but the Royals now could stash him on the injured list.

Woods injured his ankle while pitching in a Cactus League game on Saturday and Royals manager Mike Matheny indicated Tuesday that it’s fairly serious. The 24-year-old right-hander was selected from the Rays with the fourth overall pick in December’s Rule 5 draft. He may have to begin the 2020 regular season on the injured list.

Woods, a Rule-5 selection from the Rays, walked three batters in 2/3 of an inning before departing with the training staff. The Royals should have an update on his status shortly.

Woods was one of the four players the Rays got from the Giants for Evan Longoria two years ago. He eneded up mising all of 2018 following shoulder surgery, but he came back with a 1.88 ERA in 86 1/3 innings in the Florida State League last season. He’s less likely to stick in the majors than the first three players taken in today’s draft, but he’ll get a chance to win a spot in middle relief.

Woods registered a promising 2.95 ERA and 9.2 K/9 in 23 starts this past season for the Giants’ Low-A affiliate in the South Atlantic League, though he also issued 64 walks in 110 innings. The 22-year-old right-hander was an eighth-round pick in 2016 out of the University at Albany, SUNY.