SURPRISE, Ariz. -- On the final day of the Cactus League schedule, the Royals¡¯ roster became clear.

Utilityman Nick Loftin, outfielder Dairon Blanco and reliever Matt Sauer will break camp with the Royals, manager Matt Quatraro said before Saturday¡¯s 1-1 tie with the Rangers at Surprise Stadium, filling out the final spots of the 26-man roster.

Second baseman Michael Massey is expected to begin the season on the 10-day injured list. That made the path for both Loftin and Blanco on the roster a little easier because the Royals were facing a tough decision -- both had earned it.

¡°Going back to last year, they both can really impact the game,¡± Quatraro said.

Loftin, the Royals¡¯ No. 2 prospect, had a strong spring with a .333/.435/.513 slash line, two homers, seven walks and eight strikeouts in 39 Cactus League at-bats entering Saturday. That followed a strong debut month last year when he posted an .803 OPS in September.

¡°Loftin really puts good at-bats together,¡± Quatraro said. ¡°He handled himself really well in September defensively at different positions. He¡¯s had a track record of being a good hitter in the Minor Leagues. Obviously, the organization felt highly of him. And I think he provides versatility as well.

¡°What he did this spring was handle himself really well in a situation where there was a lot on the line for him."

The 25-year-old will play everywhere on the field and offer a right-handed contact-oriented bat for the lineup or off the bench. He¡¯ll slot in mainly around the infield at first, second and third base, but he also has experience playing the outfield.

¡°I¡¯ve always thought I was a big leaguer,¡± Loftin said. ¡°I¡¯m thankful I¡¯m about to get that opportunity to be able to do that for a full year, Lord-willing, and continue to show what I¡¯ve been known to do since college, high school and going through my career. I¡¯m going to bring the same thing every single day, bring the energy and help this team win.

¡°I¡¯m just very thankful they believe in me just like I believe in myself.¡±

Blanco brings a speed element the Royals loved having on their bench last year. The 30-year-old adjusted well to irregular playing time and was reliable on the bases as a pinch-runner, in the outfield as a late-game defensive replacement or at the plate laying down a bunt or putting the ball in play.

¡°It¡¯s instant, right?¡± Quatraro said of Blanco¡¯s energy. ¡°The other team knows why he¡¯s in there, and he still often executes the stolen bases, goes first to third, puts down the bunt, makes a great play in the outfield. His readiness to play at all times is impressive, and his ability to [go] zero to 60 is really impressive.¡±

¡°It¡¯s a big step for me in my life,¡± Blanco said through interpreter Jos¨¦ Alguacil. ¡°To be able to be on the Opening Day roster is something that¡¯s huge for me. ¡­ It¡¯s a big ability for me to come off the bench and try to score a run. It could mean tying the game or going ahead. I¡¯m going to be ready to help the team in any capacity.¡±

Sauer, the Royals¡¯ No. 22 prospect, will make his big league debut in his first regular season game. The 25-year-old was the Royals¡¯ Rule 5 Draft pick this offseason, and they had to decide whether to place him on the 26-man roster or put him through waivers and offer him back to the Yankees. Sauer gives Kansas City a multi-inning reliever, and despite not having pitched above Double-A yet in his career, the Royals think highly of him for the future.

¡°The last four months have been crazy for me,¡± Sauer said after allowing one run in 1 2/3 innings Saturday. ¡°It seems like it¡¯s just flown by, from December when I got the phone call letting me know they got me to coming up to spring. I¡¯ve been throwing a lot. Switching from a starter to reliever, I feel like I¡¯ve obviously proved that I can come out of the ¡®pen and help the team win some ballgames.¡±

Hit with some injuries to their bullpen this spring -- Carlos Hern¨¢ndez (shoulder), Jake Brentz (hamstring) and Josh Taylor (bicep) are all expected to begin the season on the IL -- the Royals are also able to preserve some depth by keeping Sauer on the roster instead of potentially losing him to another team. Non-roster pitcher Sam Long was in the mix for a bullpen spot after posting a 1.04 ERA this spring, and the Royals will likely call on him at some point in ¡®24.

While the Opening Day roster will not be official until Thursday, the Royals have the pieces in place. Here¡¯s what it¡¯s expected to look like:

Rotation: LHP Cole Ragans, RHP Seth Lugo, RHP Michael Wacha, Brady Singer, RHP Alec Marsh

Bullpen: LHP Will Smith, RHP Chris Stratton, RHP John Schreiber, RHP Nick Anderson, RHP James McArthur, RHP Jordan Lyles, LHP Angel Zerpa, RHP Matt Sauer

Catchers: Salvador Perez, Freddy Fermin

Infielders: Vinnie Pasquantino, Bobby Witt Jr., Adam Frazier, Maikel Garcia

Outfielders: MJ Melendez, Nelson Velazquez, Kyle Isbel, Hunter Renfroe, Dairon Blanco

Utility: Garrett Hampson, Nick Loftin