KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - The Kansas City Royals claimed infielder Jayson Nix off waivers Thursday from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Nix hit .133 in 34 games this season with the Pirates and Philadelphia Phillies. He is a career .214 hitter in seven big league seasons. He's also played for Colorado, New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland and Toronto.
The Royals also activated left-handed pitcher Scott Downs, who had been on the disabled list with a stiff neck. The team also optioned right-handed pitcher Liam Hendriks to Double-A Northwest Arkansas. Hendriks held Minnesota to one run and four hits over seven innings in a no-decision spot start Wednesday in his Kansas City debut.
The Royals recalled right-hander Michael Mariot, who had been on the disabled list at Triple-A Omaha, and put him on the 60-day disabled list to make room for Nix on the 40-man major league roster.
The Royals will have to make a corresponding move to add Nix to the 25-man roster when he reports.