According to MLB.com’s player transactions tracker, Nola has been outrighted to Triple-A Omaha, and Alexander has been released.
On August 31, the Royals announced that catcher Austin Nola and infielder CJ Alexander had been designated for assignment. Tommy Pham and Robbie Grossman are now officially on the Kansas City roster after being claimed off waivers from the Cardinals and Rangers, respectively.
Nola signed a dual contract with the Royals during Spring Training, but the five-year MLB veteran has yet to earn any big league playing time during the 2024 season. The Royals briefly summoned Nola up in June, but he was sent back to Omaha without playing a game, and Salvador Perez and Freddy Fermin have stayed healthy and handled every inning behind the plate for Kansas City this season. Injuries also cost Nola all of April, and he hasn’t generated much offense in Omaha, with a slash line of.156/.248/.296 in 163 plate appearances.
This made Nola expendable, and Brian O’Keefe and Rodolfo Duran are the only catching depth options at Triple-A. The Royals could perhaps try to shore up their catching ranks with another veteran, or Nola might simply stay with the organization if he clears waivers. Nola has previously been outrighted, so if he clears waivers and Kansas City attempts to offload him from the 40-man roster, he has the option to enter free agency.
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Alexander does not have a previous outright assignment on his ledger, nor does he have the required five years of MLB service time to refuse an outright, thus he may simply be optioned back to Omaha if no other teams make a claim. Alexander made his Major League debut this season, appearing in four games for the Royals and recording one single in eight at-bats.
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Alexander, the Braves’ 20th-round choice in the 2018 draft, was acquired by the Royals as part of the Drew Waters trade in July 2022. Prior to 2024, his minor league performances were characterized by excellent power but low averages and OBPs, when he combined to hit.303/.352/.554 with 16 home runs in 350 Triple-A plate appearances. Alexander spent the majority of his minor league career at third base, although he also played first base and both corner outfield positions.
Alexander, who recently turned 28, isn’t exactly an up-and-coming prospect, but he may be a waiver claim possibility if a team needs infield depth. He also has two minor league option years left, making him a versatile roster player moving ahead.
