Major League Baseball

Royals designate Chen day after lefty yields 6 runs in 10th inning

Published Aug. 29, 2014 7:24 p.m. ET

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The Kansas City Royals designated left-hander Bruce Chen for assignment Friday after six seasons with the team.

The move came one day after he gave up six runs in the 10th inning of an 11-5 loss to Minnesota.

The 37-year-old Chen is 2-4 with a 7.45 ERA in 13 games this season. He was in the Royals rotation when the season began, but went on the 60-day disabled list with a back injury.

''It was hard,'' manager Ned Yost said of his meeting with Chen. ''That wasn't Bruce's role. Bruce is a starter. He fares better as a starter, but we've got starters that are going really well right now. There just wasn't a spot for him. We needed somebody that could fill that role down there and be more accustom to it.

''He's been here a long time. I've watched him win a bunch of ballgames. His presence on the field well as well off the field has been great for all of us.''

The AL Central-leading Royals recalled right-hander Louis Coleman from Triple-A Omaha to take Chen's spot in the bullpen.

Chen won 35 games from 2010-12. He had a 47-43 record with a 4.53 ERA in six seasons with Kansas City.

Yost acknowledged Chen's clubhouse leadership was invaluable.

''He was always there to uplift you,'' Yost said. ''If you had a bad game, he would be the first one there, saying you're going to get them tomorrow. He's a guy that everybody looked to, to kind of lighten the mood in all situations. He's going to be missed.''

Chen made his major-league debut in 1998 with Atlanta and has a career record of 82-80 with a 4.91 ERA. He also has pitched for Philadelphia, New York Mets, Montreal, Cincinnati, Houston, Baltimore and Texas.

Chen's salary for 2014 is $3.25 million, with an option of $5.5 million for next year and a $1 million buyout.

Coleman was 2-1 with seven saves and a 3.86 ERA in 28 games with Omaha, striking out 53 in 39 2/3 innings. He was 1-0 with a 7.48 ERA in 20 relief appearances earlier this season with Kansas City.

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