Royals release righty reliever Wheeler

KANSAS CITY -- Right-handed reliever Dan Wheeler, impressive in Spring Training with the Royals before being assigned to Triple-A Omaha, has been released.

Wheeler, 35, was 1-3 with a 9.00 ERA in 11 games and 15 innings for the Storm Chasers. He gave up 15 earned runs on 28 hits and five walks.

After pitching for Tampa Bay (twice), the New York Mets, Houston, Boston and Cleveland, Wheeler signed as a Minor League free agent with the Royals last winter. In 12 Cactus League innings, he had a 1.50 ERA with 14 strikeouts and just one walk in 12 innings.