Royals Put King, Leius on DL

The Kansas City Royals put first baseman Jeff King and reserve infielder Scott Leius on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Aug. 16 and Aug. 14, respectively, and activated outfielder Jeff Conine.

King, second on the team with 21 home runs and 82 RBIs while batting. 270, had missed the last three games because of recurring soreness in his lower back.

Leius, who took Conine’s place on the roster in late July, suffered a strained hamstring Aug. 9 while running the bases against the New York Yankees.

Conine, recovering from a sore back, had been on the disabled list since July 27.

*

The Seattle Mariners designated right-hander Felipe Lira, who has been pitching in the minors, for assignment. The team called up right-hander Jose Paniagua from triple-A Tacoma of the Pacific Coast League and sent right-hander David Holdridge to their PCL farm club. . . . The Chicago White Sox recalled left-handed pitcher Tom Fordham from Calgary of the Pacific Coast League and said he will start tonight’s game against the Oakland Athletics. To make room for Fordham, Chicago optioned right-hander Carlos Castillo to Calgary. . . . Attorney Robert Shapiro sued Darryl Strawberry, claiming he failed to pay about $100,000 in fees for a contract settlement Shapiro negotiated with the Dodgers in 1994. Shapiro wants the $100,000, plus 10% interest per year that it has gone unpaid and attorney fees. Strawberry said Shapiro’s claim is unfounded and that Shapiro has tried the same maneuver unsuccessfully in the past.