Kyle Farnsworth rejoins Royals, Chavez to AAA
Chavez had been with the Naturals for less than two weeks and had made three appearances, allowing two runs in 4 2/3 innings. Signed as a non-drafted free agent in June 2006, the 24-year old resident of Kingman, AZ had spent the majority of the 2009 season with the Wilmington Blue Rocks, the Royals' Advanced-A Carolina League affiliate. Chavez attended Lassen Community College in Susanville, Calif., and New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, N.M.
Farnsworth, a 33-year old resident of Celebration, FL, made three scoreless appearances with the Naturals on a minor league rehabilitation assignment as he recovers from a small tear in his right groin. The veteran right-hander allowed just one hit and struck out three in 3 2/3 innings.
Also, the Naturals have learned that outfielder Joe Dickerson, who was injured during a rehab assignment with the rookie-level Surprise Royals in late June, has elected to retire from baseball. Dickerson had been removed from the Naturals' disabled list and placed on the restricted list in late July and was facing major surgery and a recovery timeline that would have sidelined him into the 2010 season. A member of the Naturals' opening day roster this season, Dickerson hit .230 in 34 games with 13 RBI. Prior to the 2009 season, Baseball America ranked Dickerson as the Royals' 24th best prospect.
The Naturals' roster stands at 23, one below the Texas League limit of 24 active players.
The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are the Double-A Texas League affiliate of the Kansas City Royals and play at state-of-the-art Arvest Ballpark, located in Springdale. The Naturals have a toll-free ticket hotline (1-877-444-2637) for fans to purchase Naturals tickets. Our website, nwanaturals.com offers fans the opportunity to purchase tickets online and avoid lines at the ticket windows by printing their tickets at home or at the office.