Royals claim Kanekoa Texeira, designate Brad Thompson for assignment

The Royals made a roster move before today’s game, claiming RHP Kanekoa Texeira off outright waivers from the Seattle Mariners.  RHP Brad Thompson was designated for assignment in order to make room on the 40-man roster.

Texeira, 24, made 16 appearances for Seattle this year, going 0-1 with a 5.30 ERA in 18.2 innings.  He was drafted by Chicago in the 22nd round in 2006.  Texeira was signed by Dan Ontiveros, who is now a scouting supervisor with the Royals.  Texeira’s slider was rated as the best in the Chicago system in 2007.

He was traded to the Yankees after the 2008 season along with Nick Swisher in a deal that involved current Royal Wilson Betemit going to the White Sox.

Texeira posted a 2.84 ERA in 101.1 innings in 2009 for New York’s Double-A affiliate, the Trenton Thunder.  Seattle acquired him from the Yankees in the 2009 Rule 5 Draft.

Thompson, 28, was 0-4 with a 6.41 ERA in 16 relief appearances for Kansas City.