The Royals are embarking on the last month of this dreadful season, and with that will come decisions on who should be called up when rosters expand in September. Many factors go into that decision, such as performance and weighing whether or not the player will be rushed. But one big factor will be the 40-man roster.
The Royals may not want to add a player to the 40-man roster before they have to, to keep spots open for players they need to protect from the Rule 5 draft this December. College players drafted in 2015 or earlier and high school and international players signed in 2014 or earlier are eligible to be selected in the Rule 5 draft if they are not protected on the 40-man roster.