Royals claim infielder Pedro Ciriaco off waivers

KANSAS CITY, MO (July 16, 2013) - The Kansas City Royals announced today that they have claimed shortstop Pedro Ciriaco off outright waivers from the San Diego Padres.

Ciriaco, 27, is batting .228 with eight stolen bases, three doubles, two triples and two homers in 51 games this season split between San Diego and Boston. He started this season with the Red Sox, but was traded to San Diego on June 10 for a player to be named later. He's played all four infield positions this season, seeing a combined 26 games at shortstop and 10 at third base. The fourth-year infielder hit .293 with Boston last season, setting career highs in nearly every offensive statistical category, including 15 doubles, 19 RBI and 33 runs scored in 76 games. He is a career .279 hitter.