KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals promoted Lake Stevens High School graduate Ryan Verdugo to the major leagues on Tuesday.
Verdugo, a 25-year-old left-handed pitcher, was 3-1 with a 3.61 earned-run average in 11 starts at Class AAA Omaha this season. In 621/3 innings, he struck out 52 and held batters to a .203 average.
The Royals acquired Verdugo and pitcher Jonathan Sanchez from the San Francisco Giants last November in exchange for outfielder Melky Cabrera.
Verdugo replaced left-hander Will Smith, who was optioned to Omaha. Smith pitched against the Minnesota Twins on Monday night, allowing seven runs in 42/3 innings. Royals manager Ned Yost said Smith’s poor performance wasn’t the main reason he was sent down. Yost said he wanted an extra arm in the bullpen until Kansas City starts interleague play Friday at Pittsburgh.
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