Overview
- Asa Lacy, released by Kansas City on Monday, is now a free agent after six seasons that never advanced past Double-A.
- He has not pitched in an affiliated game since August 18, 2022, and finished with 80 minor-league innings and a 7.09 ERA.
- The 2020 No. 4 overall pick signed for $6.67 million and once ranked as high as No. 30 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 list.
- Team official Mitch Maier said the Royals made the move to relieve pressure and give Lacy a different setting to continue his recovery.
- Lacy’s career stalled by a lat and shoulder injury in 2021, back troubles in 2022–23, and two Tommy John surgeries in 2023 and 2025, with some outside speculation that another club could try a low-risk reclamation.