The Royals have signed 24-year old switch hitting shortstop Luis Hernandez to a minor league deal. Hernandez played in 36 games for the Orioles last season and he was 19 for 79 (.241 avg, .548 OPS) with 9 runs scored, 3 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. He has now played in 66 games in his major league career and he is 39 for 148 (.264 avg, .601 OPS) with 14 runs scored, 1 homer, 10 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. Hernandez’ game is defense and he could push Tony Pena and Esteban German for a roster spot this spring.

The Royals have designated 25-year old lefty Tyler Lumsden for assignment. He has fallen quite far in the eyes of Royals’ management as he was the #13 ranked prospect heading into the 2008 season according to Baseball America. Lumsden pitched in 28 games (18 starts) in the minors last season and he was 3-13 with 1 save, a 7.21 ERA and a 1.86 WHIP. He allowed a stunning 138 hits and walked 62 batters in only 107.1 innings last season. The Royals won’t miss Lumsden unless he turns things around soon and big time.

UPDATE: Lumsden has been traded to the Houston Astros for a player to be named later or cash.

The Kansas City Royals have acquired 29-year old switch hitting outfielder Coco Crisp from the Red Sox in exchange for 27-year old righty reliever Ramon Ramirez. Crisp played in 118 games for the Red Sox last season and he was 102 for 361 (.283 avg, .751 OPS) with 55 runs scored, 7 homers, 41 RBIs and 20 stolen bases. Crisp has now played in 783 games in his major league career and he is 819 for 2,926 (.280 avg, .740 OPS) with 433 runs scored, 56 homers, 313 RBIs and 124 stolen bases. Adding Crisp will likely mean that the Royals will be trading Mark Teahan for some bullpen help due to the recent losses of Ramon Ramirez and Leo Nunez. Ramirez pitched in 71 games (0 starts) for the Royals last season and he was 3-2 with 1 save, a 2.64 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. The Royals appear to think that Ramirez’ only season in K.C. was a career season.

The Royals have designated 31-year old righty Luke Hudson and 26-year old lefty Josh Newman. Hudson didn’t pitch at all last season due to injury. Hudson has pitched in 58 games (41 starts) in his major league career and he is 17-18 with a 5.11 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. 26-year old lefty reliever Josh Newman pitched in 12 games (0 starts) for the Rockies & Royals last season and he was 0-0 with a 8.62 ERA and a 2.36 WHIP. Newman has now pitched in 14 games (0 starts) in his major league career and he is 0-0 with a 8.15 ERA and a 2.21 WHIP. Newman will get a chance in spring training with someone next season because he’s a lefty but Hudson will have to prove he’s healthy to get a chance. The Royals won’t lose any sleep over letting Hudson and Newman go.

The Royals have released 28-year old righty reliever Ryan Braun. Braun had Tommy John Surgery last April and he probably won’t be ready for the start of the 2009 season. Braun pitched 2 seasons for the Royals and he worked in 35 games (0 starts) and he was 2-1 with a 6.66 ERA and a 1.68 WHIP. The Royals shouldn’t miss him much as he never pitched too well for them.