Slumping infielder Yuniesky Betancourt has been cut by the Kansas City Royals after beginning the season as the team’s second base starter.
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 was with the Mariners from 2005-09. 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 RBI in 103 games with Omaha.
TIGERS ACQUIRE BAKER FROM CUBS
The Detroit Tigers have acquired Jeff Baker from the Chicago Cubs for two minor leaguers to be determined.
Baker, who has played first base, second base and in the outfield this season, hit .269 in 54 games for the Cubs.
SHEEN DOUBLES DONATIONS TO REDS
Actor Charlie Sheen, a lifelong Cincinnati Reds fan, has pledged to donate $50,000 to the team’s Community Fund, matching the amount broadcaster Marty Brennaman raised for charity in return for having his head shaved on the field.
Sheen and his father Martin Sheen, a Dayton native, were at the Reds game against Pittsburgh on Friday and saw Brennaman get his head shaved. Brennaman had promised to shave his hair if the Reds won 10 consecutive games and said he would do it publicly if fans donated at least $20,000 to the Reds fund.
That drive generated $50,000, and Charlie Sheen announced Sunday he planned to match that amount.
SHORT HOPS
Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus left in the ninth inning of Sunday’s game against Kansas City because of pain in his right shoulder. … Blue Jays right-hander Carlos Villanueva left the team for personal reasons, and right-hander Jesse Chavez was optioned to Triple-A. … Athletics right-hander A.J. Griffin was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right shoulder. … The Red Sox acquired third baseman Danny Valencia from the Twins for Jeremias Pineda, an outfielder who was playing in Class-A. … The Tigers put outfielder Ryan Raburn on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained right thumb.
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