The Royals have designated utility player Chris Owings for assignment and have called up third baseman Cheslor Cuthbert from AAA Omaha. The 27-year old Owings was hitting just .133/.193/.222 in 145 plate appearances, having struck out 38 percent of the time.
The Royals had signed Owings to a one-year, $3 million deal after he was non-tendered by the Diamondbacks last fall. The former first-round pick has had some decent seasons in the big leagues, but he it just .206/.272/.302 in 309 plate apparances with Arizona last season. Injuries had hurt his career, and the Royals were hoping he could bounce back and fill a super-utility role.