The Royals will non-tender four players, according to MLB.com reporter Jeffrey Flanagan, including 2012 first-round pick Bubba Starling. Starling will be taken off the 40-man roster along with first baseman Samir Duenez, and pitchers Jason Adam and Andres Machado. Flanagan reports that all four are expected to re-sign with the Royals on minor league deals.
The 26-year old Starling was selected fifth overall out of high school in Gardner, just outside of Kansas City. He has largely been a disappointment with the bat, although many say his glove is Major League ready. He appeared in just 11 games for AAA Omaha this year, missing much of the season with an oblique injury, then a dislocated finger he suffered getting out of bed.