KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- The Kansas City Royals have designated
struggling starter Jonathan Sanchez for assignment.

The Royals announced the move before Tuesday night's game
against the Seattle Mariners.

Sanchez was 1-6 with a 7.76 ERA in 12 starts. The left-hander,
who threw a no-hitter for San Francisco in July 2009, gave up seven
runs in 1 1-3 innings in Monday night's loss to the Mariners.

The Royals acquired Sanchez and minor-leaguer Ryan Verdugo last
November from the Giants for outfielder Melky Cabrera, who is
hitting .353 and was named MVP of last week's All-Star Game in
Kansas City.

The Royals recalled Verdugo, who was slated to start Tuesday
night, and right-hander Vin Mazzaro from Triple-A Omaha.

Outfielder Jason Bourgeois, who had a .333 average in 19 games,
was optioned to Omaha.