Clay Buchholz released from minor league contract by Royals

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BOSTON (AP) Pitcher Clay Buchholz was released from a minor league contract by the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday, the day he had the right to terminate the deal and become a free agent.

The 33-year-old right-hander signed with the Royals in March as he attempted to return from right forearm surgery that caused him to miss most of last season.

Buchholz started for Triple-A Omaha on Saturday, allowing one earned run and four hits over five innings in a no-decision at Colorado Springs. In two appearances with Omaha and one with Double-A Northwest Arkansas, Buchholz had a 1.13 ERA but walked seven in 16 innings. If added to Kansas City's 40-man roster, he would have received a one-year contract with a $1.5 million salary while in the major leagues.

He was a two-time All-Star with Boston, and in his second major league start pitched a no-hitter against Baltimore in 2007.

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