The Kansas City Royals’ roster is rounding into shape. And a familiar face in the bullpen is gone to a new team.

Inching closer to having a Major League Baseball-mandated active roster size of 26 players by opening day, the Royals on Sunday announced that outfielders Nick Pratto and Nelson Velázquez had cleared waivers and outrighted to Triple-A Omaha.

Pratto and Velázquez competed for a bench spot on the Royals’ big-league roster this spring. Both players faced critical junctures in their respective careers, as each is out of minor-league options.

Pratto hit .200 (6-for-30) and Velázquez batted .208 (5-for-24) — underwhelming spring training numbers in Cactus League play. So the Royals went in another direction after acquiring MLB veteran Mark Canha from the Milwaukee Brewers.

Canha is expected to be a part of the Royals’ bench. Assuming so, he must be added to the club’s 40-man roster, which led to Sunday’s decisions regarding Pratto and Velázquez.

The Royals placed both players on waivers. This allowed every other major-league team a chance to place claims for them this weekend. No claims surfaced, so each is able to remain in the KC organization.

Carlos Hernandez out

That wasn’t the case for right-handed relief pitcher Carlos Hernandez. He, too, was placed on waivers after also being out of minor-league options.

Unlike the unclaimed Pratto and Velázquez, Hernandez was claimed by another team: the Philadelphia Phillies. He ends his Royals tenure with a career 4.95 ERA in 150 appearances but struggled this spring.

The Royals decided to keep left-hander Daniel Lynch IV on the roster in a relief role. This sets the Kansas City bullpen at eight pitchers. Lynch will join Carlos Estévez, Lucas Erceg, Sam Long, Angel Zerpa, John Schreiber, Chris Stratton and Hunter Harvey.

Hernandez, in that configuration, was left without a spot. The Royals loved his electric fastball, which averaged 97.8 mph last season. But they were concerned about his ability to locate pitches. He had a 12.4 walk percentage in 30 innings last season.

Things didn’t improve this spring: He had a 6.97 ERA and allowed five walks in eight outings.

The Royals now have 37 players on their 40-man roster. That gives them the flexibility to add a free agent or elevate a non-roster invitee.

Expect Canha to garner one of those 40-man roster spots. There’s also a position battle for the final bench role that could go to a variety of players.

Super-utility players Harold Castro and Cavan Biggio were among the club’s non-roster invitees to spring training. If either makes the Royals’ roster, he would be added to the 40-man list.

Vinnie Pasquantino update

The Royals are awaiting a medical update regarding first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino. He left Saturday’s game with a right hamstring strain.

Pasquantino will continue to be evaluated. If he is sidelined, the club could also factor his injury into its opening day roster plans.

A lot will be decided over the coming days.

KC has two exhibition games remaining, both against the Texas Rangers. The clubs will play at Globe Life Field on Monday and Tuesday.