KANSAS CITY, MO (November 20, 2009) – The Kansas City Royals today announced their winter 40-man Major League roster.

The Royals have selected the contracts of infielder Jeff Bianchi, outfielders Jarrod Dyson and Jordan Parraz, catcher Manuel Pina and right-handed pitcher Blake Wood from the Omaha (AAA) roster.

To make room on the Major League roster, the Royals outrighted right-handed pitchers Devon Lowery and Doug Waechter to Omaha. Both can elect free agency beginning tomorrow. In addition, the Royals designated infielder Tug Hulett for assignment and requested Unconditional Release Waivers on right-handed pitcher Julio Pimentel.

Parraz, 25, was acquired by Kansas City from the Astros on December 11, 2008. The right-handed hitter and thrower opened 2009 at NW Arkansas, batting .358 with 17 doubles, three triples, seven home runs, 42 RBI and 35 runs scored in 64 games, compiling a .451 on-base pct. and .553 slugging. After rehabbing at Idaho Falls (R) for four games, the Henderson, Nev., native hit .298 in 13 games for Omaha.

The 23-year old Bianchi, the 2008 Frank White Defensive Player of the Year, split his season between Wilmington (High A) and NW Arkansas, hitting over .300 at each stop with a combined 29 doubles, 70 RBI and 22 stolen bases in 28 attempts. The Royals’ second-round pick in the 2005 Draft played mostly shortstop for the Surprise Rafters in the Arizona Fall League, batting .265 with 13 RBI in 17 games.

The speedy Dyson, 25, was Kansas City’s 50th round pick in the 2006 Draft. The left-handed hitter and right-handed thrower opened the season at Burlington (A) before spending the final two and a half months of the season with NW Arkansas. The center fielder hit .258 for the Naturals in 63 games, stealing 37 bases in 43 attempts. The McComb, Miss., resident continued his season in the Arizona Fall League for Surprise, hitting .310 with two steals in 16 games.

Pina, 22, was acquired by the Royals from the Rangers organization on September 3 of this year. The Venezuelan did not appear for NW Arkansas after the trade, but hit .259 for Frisco (AA) prior to the deal and was selected as the starting catcher for the South Division in the Texas League All-Star Game.

The 24-year old Wood, the Royals’ third-round selection in 2006 out of Georgia Tech, was 2-8 with a 5.83 ERA in 17 games (13 starts) for NW Arkansas. The 6-foot-5, 240-pounder also made three rehab appearances for Surprise (R). Wood returned to the desert in October to pitch for the Surprise Rafters in the Fall League, going 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA in eight games, including three starts.

The Royals complete 40-man roster is listed below. For more information, please contact Royals Media Relations at 816-921-8000.

kansas city royals 40-man roster

Pitchers (18) B-T Ht. Wt. Born Birthplace

John Bale L-L 6-4 203 05-22-74 Cheverly, MD

Brian Bannister R-R 6-2 217 02-28-81 Scottsdale, AZ

Henry Barrera R-R 6-0 196 11-25-85 Montebello, CA

Roman Colon R-R 6-6 237 08-13-79 Monte Cristi, DR

Aaron Crow R-R 6-2 205 11-11-86 Topeka, KS

Juan Cruz R-R 6-2 165 10-15-78 Bonao, DR

Kyle Davies R-R 6-2 218 09-09-83 Decatur, GA

Kyle Farnsworth R-R 6-4 233 04-14-76 Wichita, KS

Zack Greinke R-R 6-2 192 10-21-83 Orlando, FL

Luke Hochevar R-R 6-5 210 09-15-83 Denver, CO

Dusty Hughes L-L 5-10 185 06-29-82 Tupelo, MS

Anthony Lerew R-R 6-3 220 10-28-82 Carlisle, PA

Victor Marte R-R 6-2 267 11-08-80 Puerto Plata, DR

Gil Meche R-R 6-3 214 09-08-78 Lafayette, LA

Carlos Rosa R-R 6-1 208 09-21-84 San Francisco de Macoris, DR

Joakim Soria R-R 6-3 204 05-18-84 Monclova, Mexico
Robinson Tejeda R-R 6-3 248 03-24-82 Bani, DR

Blake Wood R-R 6-5 240 08-08-85 Atlanta, GA

Catchers (3) B-T Ht. Wt. Born Birthplace

John Buck R-R 6-3 230 07-07-80 Kemmerer, WY

Brayan Pena S-R 5-11 247 01-07-82 Havana, Cuba

Manuel Pina R-R 5-11 185 06-05-87 Barquisimeto, VZ

Infielders (12) B-T Ht. Wt. Born Birthplace

Mike Aviles R-R 5-9 203 03-13-81 New York, NY

Yuniesky Betancourt R-R 5-10 190 01-31-82 Santa Clara, Cuba

Jeff Bianchi R-R 6-0 175 10-05-86 Lancaster, PA

Billy Butler R-R 6-2 240 04-18-86 Orange Park, FL

Alberto Callaspo S-R 5-10 175 04-19-83 Maracay, Venezuela

Josh Fields R-R 6-2 210 12-14-82 Ada, OK

Chris Getz L-R 6-0 175 08-30-83 Southfield, MI

Alex Gordon L-R 6-1 220 02-10-84 Lincoln, NE

Luis Hernandez S-R 5-10 182 06-26-84 Quibor, VZ

Mike Jacobs L-R 6-3 215 10-30-80 Chula Vista, CA

Kila Ka'aihue L-R 6-3 221 03-29-84 Kailua, HI

Mario Lisson R-R 6-2 210 05-31-84 Caracas, Venezuela

Outfielders (7) B-T Ht. Wt. Born Birthplace

Josh Anderson L-R 6-2 195 08-10-82 Somerset, KY
Willie Bloomquist R-R 5-11 195 11-27-77 Bremerton, WA

David DeJesus L-L 6-0 185 12-20-79 Brooklyn, NY

Jarrod Dyson L-R 5-10 160 08-15-84 McComb, MS

Jose Guillen R-R 5-11 195 05-17-76 San Cristobal, DR

Mitch Maier L-R 6-2 211 06-30-82 Petoskey, MI

Jordan Parraz R-R 6-3 212 10-08-84 Henderson, NV