The Royals made one move before breaking camp in Surprise, Arizona on Thursday. They traded infielder Joe McEwing to the Astros for a player to be named later. McEwing’s chances of making the roster were doused when the Royals acquired second baseman Tony Graffanino off waivers from the Red Sox earlier this week.
McEwing hit .239 with one homer and six RBI’s in 83 games with the Royals in 2005. He came to Kansas City after five seasons with the Mets. He began his career with the Cardinals.
The Royals wrapped up spring training with a 16-9-2 record in Cactus League play by beating the Rangers 6-4 on Thursday. They overcame a 3-0 deficit with two runs in three different innings—the fourth, sixth and seventh. Emil Brown was three-for-three with a two-run homer in the sixth inning.
Steve Andrade, one of four relievers trying to earn one of the two vacancies in the bullpen, got the win by throwing two hitless innings. He allowed a walk. Steve Stemle is also vying for one of the bullpen slots. He allowed a hit and struck out two in two scoreless innings of relief.
The Royals will play the Astros in Houston for their final two spring training games, then come home to face the Tigers on Monday in their season opener.
