Burns was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Monday, Joel Goldberg of FOX Sports Kansas City reports.
It was revealed earlier in the day that Jorge Soler (oblique) could be forced to open the season on the DL, but Terrance Gore rather than Burns would be first in line to win an Opening Day roster spot in the outfield if that materializes. After a down 2016 campaign that resulted in the Athletics trading him away to the Royals at midseason, Burns will have to reestablish value in the minors if he hopes to earn another look with the big club.