Royals grant release of minor league pitcher Mario Santiago; Santiago to sign with Korean club

KANSAS CITY, MO (December 14, 2011) - The Kansas City Royals announced today that club has granted the release of minor league right-handed pitcher Mario Santiago in order for Santiago to sign a contract with the SK Wyverns of the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO).

The soon-to-be 27-year-old Santiago (his birthday is on Friday) pitched with both Omaha (AAA) and Northwest Arkansas (AA) in 2011.  The 6-foot-1, 213-pounder recorded a combined record of 8-4 with a 3.70 ERA in 35 games (11 starts) last season.  The Royals selected the resident of Salinas, Puerto Rico, in the 16th round of the 2005 Draft.