KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Royals have traded right-hander Vin Mazzaro and first baseman Clint Robinson to the Pittsburgh Pirates for minor league pitchers Luis Santos and Luis Rico.
Mazzaro was 4-3 with a 5.73 ERA for the Royals while filling in as a spot starter because of injuries last season. Robinson struck out twice in his first four major league at-bats. Both were designated for assignment on Nov. 20.
The 21-year-old Santos pitched for both Dominican Pirates clubs last season, combining for a 6-3 record and a 2.44 ERA in 14 games, including 12 starts. In 62 2-3 innings, he allowed 42 hits, walked 20 and struck out 74 while holding opponents to a .184 average.
Rico, who turns 19 on Thursday, was 0-1 with a 7.04 ERA for the Dominican Pirates.
Also on Wednesday, the Royals announced that right-hander Chris Volstad and catcher Brayan Pena chose free agency after clearing waivers and getting outrighted to the minor leagues.
Volstad and Pena also were designated for assignment on Nov. 20.
