It took an army of players to get through a tough 2025 season for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Though much of the attrition and roster turnover came from the battered and underperforming pitching staff, there were still plenty of fill-ins needed up and down the lineup.
On Friday, former Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Connor Kaiser found a new home — signing a minor league deal with the Kansas City Royals. Kaiser had previously been outrighted off the 40-man roster by the D-backs.
The Royals announced they have signed infielder Connor Kaiser to a minor league contract. The 28-year-old has spent 14 games in the big leagues with the Rockies and Diamondbacks and is a Kansas City-area native who graduated from Blue Valley West.
Infielder Ildemaro Vargas, catcher James McCann and left-hander Jalen Beeks have elected free agency. Right-handers Austin Pope, John Curtiss and Casey Kelly, left-hander Kyle Nelson and infielder Connor Kaiser were outrighted off the 40-man roster. Arizona’s 40-man roster now sits at 38 players.
The stars were out in full force during the 2025 World Series. From Max Scherzer in Toronto to Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, and of course, Shohei Ohtani, in Los Angeles, there was no shortage of the game's best under the brightest lights.
The Diamondbacks outrighted four players off the 40-man roster, according to the MLB.com transaction log. Right-handers John Curtiss and Casey Kelly, lefty Kyle Nelson, and infielder Connor Kaiser all went unclaimed on waivers.
According to a report by Arizona Sports 98.7's John Gambadoro on X/Twittter, the Arizona Diamondbacks are set to call up two minor-leaguers. Right-hand reliever Taylor Rashi will return to the major league club after an extremely successful debut.
The Arizona Diamondbacks have signed infielder Connor Kaiser and catcher Aramis Garcia to minor league contracts, Triple-A Reno announced Friday night.