Kansas City Royals general manager Dayton Moore said they’re open to the idea of spring phenom Bobby Witt Jr. making the opening-day roster. Witt, though, has played only one minor-league season, in the Rookie League in 2019 after the Royals selected him with the No. 2 pick in the draft. Witt, 21, had three home runs with a .919 OPS in his first 33 spring at-bats. “He’s earned the respect of all his teammates,, and now that he’s been able to do that, I’m very much open-minded of him being on this team as we break camp,” Moore said. It still seems like a long shot if only because the Royals risk starting his service-time clock early. … Simeon High School outfielder Corey Ray is confident he can still live up to his billing after the Milwaukee Brewers took him with the No. 5 pick in the 2016 draft gave him a $4.125 million signing bonus. “Yes, I do,” he told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. “I’ve worked too hard for it not to happen.” Ray has hit .235 over four minor-league seasons and is 2-for-10 this spring with five strikeouts. … Former Cubs left-hander Jose Quintana threw his fourth scoreless Cactus League outing Wednesday, with six strikeouts over 3⅔ innings. … After being roughed up by former teammates Mike Freeman and Tyler Naquin, Cleveland Indians pitcher Triston McKenzie was asked what he would text them. “Maybe some expletives,” he said. “But all hugs and handshakes after.”
Cactus League report: Kyle Hendricks gives Cubs manager David Ross a scare, and White Sox starter Dallas Keuchel adjusting to new rules
