Royals cut ties with veteran infielder

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) Slumping infielder Yuniesky Betancourt has been cut by the Kansas City Royals after beginning the season as the team's starting second baseman.

Betancourt was designated for assignment Sunday following Kansas City's 7-6 victory over the Texas Rangers in 10 innings. To replace him, the Royals selected the contract of infielder Tony Abreu from Triple-A Omaha.

Betancourt, 30, signed a $2 million, one-year contract in December, rejoining the Royals after playing for them from 2009-10. He snapped an 0-for-20 skid with a double on Friday, then started at third base Sunday and went 0 for 4 to drop his average to .228.

The 27-year-old Abreu was hitting .322 with nine home runs, 36 doubles, five triples and 73 RBIs in 103 games with Omaha. He has a .251 batting average in 146 major league games with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks.