Royals Obtain Byrd in Swap of Pitchers

The Kansas City Royals traded reliever Jose Santiago to Philadelphia for former all-star Paul Byrd on Tuesday in a swap of right-handed pitchers.

Byrd was 0-1 with an 8.10 earned-run average for the Phillies. He is 29-29 with a 4.70 ERA in eight major league seasons with the New York Mets, Atlanta and Philadelphia.

Byrd, a 1999 National League all-star, underwent season-ending shoulder surgery last August. He joined the Phillies in 1998 after being waived by Atlanta.

Santiago was 2-2 with a 6.75 ERA in 20 games in with the Royals this year.

Cuban pitcher Rolando Viera, who sued major league baseball in an attempt to avoid its draft, was selected in the seventh round by the Boston Red Sox.

“It was a gamble for us,” Red Sox spokesman Kevin Shea said. “We’ve already been in touch with his agent. We’re looking forward to sitting down and talking to him.”

Cuban ballplayers seeking to join the major leagues typically defect to a third country, which makes them a free agent and allows them to sign with the highest bidder. But Viera left Cuba with a valid visa April 25 and came straight to the United States.

According to baseball rules, that made him a U.S. resident subject to the draft.

Looking for help in case Jorge Posada’s injured thumb does not heal quickly, the New York Yankees promoted former Angel catcher Todd Greene from triple-A Columbus.

To make room for Greene, the Yankees designated rookie outfielder Michael Coleman for assignment.

Posada hurt his left thumb trying to catch a pitch from Andy Pettitte on Sunday and did not play Monday. Joe Oliver started in Posada’s place Tuesday night against Baltimore.

The Detroit Tigers activated outfielder Bobby Higginson from the 15-day disabled list and sent pitcher Heath Murray to triple-A Toledo.

Higginson, 30, had been out since May 22 because of a strained rib cage muscle. He is batting .292 with six home runs and 20 RBIs this season.

Minnesota put left-handed reliever Eddie Guardado on the 15-day disabled list because of an injured left knee. . . . The Chicago White Sox recalled right-handed pitcher Matt Ginter from triple-A Charlotte and put right-hander Lorenzo Barcelo on the 15-day disabled list. . . . Needing a long reliever behind their struggling starters, Cleveland recalled right-hander Steve Woodard from triple-A Buffalo and sent pitcher Jake Westbrook to the Bisons. . . . Tampa Bay outfielder Jose Guillen finished his rehab program by going three for four against the Toronto Blue Jays’ minor leaguers at Dunedin, Fla. . . . San Diego put rookie shortstop Donaldo Mendez on the 15-day disabled list and activated infielder-outfielder Santiago Perez.