Royals designate Seth Maness for assignment

The Royals have designated reliever Seth Maness for assignment and have purchased the contract of right-handed pitcher Luke Farrell for the first game of today’s doubleheader against the Minnesota Twins. Farrell will make his Major League debut today, getting the start after posting a 3.83 ERA in 82 1⁄3 innings for Omaha.

Maness was signed as a minor league free agent by the Royals after four seasons as an effective reliever in St. Louis. However he was trying to return after an elbow injury and struggled with the Royals, giving up 16 hits and three home runs in 9 ²⁄₃ innings, although his ERA was 3.72. Maness was struggling mightily in Omaha, posting a 9.72 ERA in 15 ²⁄₃ innings. The move clears his spot on the 40-man roster for Farrell, and if he clears waivers, he can be assigned to Omaha.

Luke Farrell will serve as the “26th man” for the doubleheader, and will likely be sent back to the minors following his start. His father, Red Sox manager John Farrell, is expected to take a leave from his team to watch his son’s Major League debut.