Overview
- Kansas City claimed 26‑year‑old Luke Little off waivers from the Chicago Cubs and immediately optioned him to Triple‑A Omaha, a transaction reported Thursday that followed Chicago’s designation of Little three days earlier.
- The Royals transferred right‑hander Luinder Avila to the 60‑day injured list after the team announced he will need Tommy John surgery and will miss the rest of 2026 and possibly part of 2027.
- Little is a 6'8" southpaw with a fastball that averages in the mid‑90s and a 2.97 major‑league ERA in 36 1/3 innings, but he has severe control problems including a career walk rate near 17.6% and an unusually high number of hit batters.
- Kansas City’s bullpen has struggled this season in ERA, strikeout rate and velocity, which helps explain why the club will use a minor‑league option to try to fix Little’s command without costing a 40‑man roster spot long term.
- Chicago’s trade‑deadline additions to its pitching staff contributed to roster pressure that pushed Little off the Cubs’ 40‑man roster, and Little’s limited option status makes him a typical low‑risk, high‑upside pickup that the Royals will evaluate in Omaha for a potential bullpen role.