The Royals announced they have activated 26-year old right-hander Trevor Oaks from the 60-day injured list and designated him for assignment. Oaks missed the entire regular season with a hip injury he suffered in spring training. He did return to action to pitch in the Arizona Fall League, giving up six runs in 12 innings of work.

The Royals acquired Oaks before the 2018 season in a three-team deal from the Dodgers, a trade that also netted them infielder Erick Mejia and cost them pitchers Scott Alexander and Joakim Soria to the White Sox. He pitched in 13 2⁄ 3 innings with the Royals that season, making two starts, with an ERA of 7.24 and ten strikeouts. He also had a 3.23 ERA in 22 starts for Omaha that year and was named a Pacific Coast League All-Star.

Oaks may be brought back on a minor league deal, but after missing the entire season, the Royals found him expendable enough to leave him off the 40-man roster. The Royals currently have a full 40-man roster and will have to activate catcher Salvador Perez and third baseman Kelvin Gutierrez from the 60-day injured list and add them to the roster soon. They may also want to add Rule 5 eligible players to the roster like pitchers Carlos Hernandez and Foster Griffin, and outfielders Nick Heath and Seuly Matias.