The Kansas City Royals today announced that the club has claimed left-handed pitcher Aaron Laffey on Outright Waivers from the New York Yankees.  To create room on the 40-man roster, the club designated right-handed pitcher Jesse Chavez for assignment.

The 26-year-old Laffey was acquired by the Seattle Mariners from the Cleveland Indians on March 2 of this year and made 36 relief appearances out of the Mariners bullpen, going 1-1 with a 4.01 ERA.  The Yankees then claimed Laffey on waivers on August 19 and he went 2-1 with a 3.38 ERA in 11 relief appearances down the stretch.  He did not appear on the Yankees playoff roster.  The 6-foot, 200-pounder is 21-23 with a 4.34 ERA in 126 career Major League appearances, including 49 starts.  Laffey debuted with the Indians, who originally selected him in the 16th round of the 2003 Draft, as a 22-year-old in 2007.

Laffey and his wife, Jackie, have one son, Braeden, and reside in Cumberland, Md.

Chavez, 28, spent a majority of the 2011 campaign with Triple-A Omaha, but also posted a 10.57 ERA in four relief appearances over two stints with the Royals.

— Royals Media Relations —