Former Cardinals pitcher Maikel Cleto claimed by Royals

Former Cardinals pitcher Maikel Cleto claimed by Royals

Published Jun. 23, 2013 7:14 p.m. ET

The Kansas City Royals claimed Maikel Cleto off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday.

The right-handed pitcher will be assigned to the Omaha Storm Chasers, the Royals' Triple-A affiliate.

Cleto was 2-3 with a 6.92 ERA in 16 appearances -- including nine starts -- for the Memphis Redbirds. He pitched in one game for the Cardinals earlier this season, pitching 2 1/3 innings against Arizona on June 5 in a 10-3 loss.

The 6-foot-3, 230-pound reliever has appeared in 15 major league games in three seasons, posting a 10.34 ERA with seven walks and 26 strikeouts in 15 2/3 innings for St. Louis.

Cleto, 24, of the Dominican Republic, was traded from the Mariners to the Cardinals in December 2010 for shortstop Brendan Ryan.

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