KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A night after Bruce Chen's disastrous six-run relief outing in a 11-5 loss to the Twins, the left-hander was designated for assignment by the Royals.
Right-hander Louis Coleman was recalled to fill Chen's spot on the 25-man roster.
The Royals still have a pending move to make Saturday when utility infielder Jayson Nix joins the team. Manager Ned Yost has said Omar Infante (shoulder inflammation) is not a candidate for the disabled list, so making room for Nix makes for interesting speculation. They Royals could option out Christian Colon for a few days until the rosters expand.
Chen started the season in the rotation, but then spent several weeks on the disabled list with a back injury. He returned to a long-relief role when he came off the DL in late June after being replaced in the rotation by Danny Duffy.
Chen filled in a few starts for Jason Vargas when Vargas went on the disabled list in July, but appeared in just four games in August. In his final 12 2/3 innings with the Royals, he gave up 17 runs.
Chen was at his best in 2013 when the Royals needed someone to step in and shore up the back end of their rotation. He responded by posting a dazzling 0.93 ERA over a six-start period.
Chen, 37, spent the last six seasons with Kansas City. The Royals have 10 days to trade him or release him.
"It's a tough business," teammate Billy Butler said. "And Bruce is a good guy."
Coleman pitched in 28 games for Omaha this season, posting a 2-1 record with a 3.86 ERA. In 20 games earlier this season with the Royals, Coleman had a 7.48 ERA.
You can follow Jeffrey Flanagan on Twitter at @jflanagankc or email him at jeffreyflanagan6@gmail.com.
