SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) _ Yasuhiko Yabuta is among four players the
Kansas City Royals has assigned to minor league camp.
The 32-year-old Yabuta pitched 12 years for Chiba Lotte in the
Japanese League before signing a two-year, $6 million contract
before last season with the Royals.
In seven appearances in spring training, Yabuta had an 8.53 ERA
with opponents hitting .375 off him. He allowed a dozen hits,
including two home runs, and five walks in 6 1-3 innings.
In other roster moves, the Royals assigned outfielder Chris
Lubanski, catcher J.R. House and right-hander Oscar Villarreal to
minor league camp.
Lubanski, a 2003 first-round pick, hit .321 with two home runs
in 19 exhibition games. House was 1-for-14 in spring games.
Villarreal has not pitched because of a sore elbow.