Sent Down to Minors as Royals Adjust Pitching Staff

Luinder Avila was sent down to the minor leagues by the Kansas City Royals on Thursday as the team adjusted its bullpen personnel. Avila's demotion is part of a broader effort by the Royals' front office to find the most effective combination of relief pitchers for the major league roster. He will continue his development in the minors, with the goal of improving his consistency and eventually returning to help the big-league club's pitching staff later this season.