Wang to DL; Royals recall Pounders, Alexander

The Royals have a depleted bullpen after Edinson Volquez left early in Tuesday night’s extra-inning affair against the Yankees. They addressed the bullpen today by recalling right-handed reliever Brooks Pounders and left-handed reliever Scott Alexander from AAA Omaha. To make room for them, the Royals placed reliever Chien-Ming Wang on the 15-day disabled list and optioned infielder Christian Colon to Omaha.

Alexander was on the team in May, giving up seven runs in 13 innings, walking five and striking out 11. Lefties are hitting .286/.318/.333 against him in 22 plate appearances this year. The 27-year old had a 3.00 ERA in 30 innings for Omaha this year.

The 25-year old Pounders was up with the team briefly in July, giving up seven runs in 4 2/3 innings, although five runs came in one outing against the Mariners. Pounders had a 3.14 ERA in 80 ¹⁄₃ innings for Omaha, mostly in relief.

Wang has been diagnosed with right bicep tendinitis, according to Kansas City Star beat reporter Rustin Dodd. He pitched two shutout innings in Tuesday’s loss to the Yankees and had a 4.22 ERA this year. He would be eligible to return from the disabled list on September 14.

Christian Colon was optioned to make room for the new pitchers, but can be recalled on Monday, when Omaha’s season is over. Rosters will expand tomorrow, but players sent to the minors must stay down for at least ten days, unless their minor league season ends. Colon was hitting .228/.295/.268 with 0 HR 10 RBI in 47 games with the Royals. The move leaves the Royals without a reserve infielder tonight, meaning Drew Butera is the emergency infielder.