Sports Headlines

Royals Cut Betancourt, Recall Abreu From Omaha

Slumping infielder Yuniesky Betancourt was cut by the Kansas City Royals on Sunday after beginning the season as the team's starting second baseman.

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Reporter: The Associated Press

Slumping infielder Yuniesky Betancourt was cut by the Kansas City Royals on Sunday after beginning the season as the team's starting second baseman.

Betancourt was designated for assignment 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.

The 30-year-old Betancourt 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 for the Storm Chasers. He has a .251 batting average in 146 major league games with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks.