KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals have signed reliever Jose Mijares to a 1-year contract, giving manager Ned Yost another left-handed option late in games.

The team announced the deal Wednesday. Terms were not disclosed.

Mijares went 3-6 with a 3.16 ERA in 186 appearances since making his debut for the Twins in 2008, but he was just 0-2 with a 4.59 ERA in 58 games last season.

Mijares is currently 3-0 with a 1.29 ERA in eight outings for Tigres De Aragua in the Venezuelan Winter League, with seven strikeouts and no walks.

Royals general manager Dayton Moore envisions Mijares as a situational lefty. Mijares fills out the Royals’ 40-man roster.

KANSAS CITY, MO (December 21, 2011) — The Kansas City Royals announced today that the club has signed left-handed relief pitcher Jose Mijares to a one-year Major League contract for 2012. Consistent with club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. With the signing of the Mijares, the Royals’ 40-man roster stands at 40.

“We expect Jose to be a solid addition from the left side that further strengthens our bullpen,” Royals GM Dayton Moore said. “He has been especially good against left-handed hitters in his career and will give Ned more options to match up late in the game.”

The 27-year-old Mijares (me-HAH-ress) has posted a 3-6 record with a 3.16 ERA in 186 relief appearances for the Minnesota Twins since making his debut in 2008. Last season, the 6-foot, 230-pounder went 0-2 with a 4.59 ERA in 58 contests, all in relief. In his career, Mijares has held left-handed batters to a .212 average, allowing just five home runs in 287 plate appearances. Born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, Mijares is currently 3-0 with a 1.29 ERA (0 BB, 7 SO) in eight relief outings for Tigres de Aragua in the Venezuelan Winter League.

ROYALS GRANT RELEASE OF MINOR LEAGUE PITCHER MARIO SANTIAGO; SANTIAGO TO SIGN WITH KOREAN CLUB

KANSAS CITY, MO (December 14, 2011) – The Kansas City Royals announced today that club has granted the release of minor league right-handed pitcher Mario Santiago in order for Santiago to sign a contract with the SK Wyverns of the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO).

The soon-to-be 27-year-old Santiago (his birthday is on Friday) pitched with both Omaha (AAA) and Northwest Arkansas (AA) in 2011. The 6-foot-1, 213-pounder recorded a combined record of 8-4 with a 3.70 ERA in 35 games (11 starts) last season. The Royals selected the resident of Salinas, Puerto Rico, in the 16th round of the 2005 Draft.

KANSAS CITY — The Kansas City Royals announced today that the club will not tender a 2012 Major League contract to left-handed pitcher Aaron Laffey.

The remaining 31 unsigned players on the 40-man Major League roster will be tendered Major League contracts for 2012. Pitchers Noel Arguelles, Jonathan Broxton, Bruce Chen, Aaron Crow and Joakim Soria, as well as designated hitter Billy Butler and outfielder Jeff Francoeur are signed for 2012. The Royals roster now stands at 38.

Laffey, 26, was claimed on outright waivers by the Royals on October 11.

INFIELDER JEFF BIANCHI CLAIMED BY CUBS

KANSAS CITY, MO (December 9, 2011) – The Kansas City Royals announced today that infielder Jeff Bianchi has been claimed off waivers by the Chicago Cubs. He was designated for assignment by the Royals on November 30.

Bianchi, 25, spent the entire 2011 season at Double-A Northwest Arkansas, where he batted .259 with two home runs, 48 RBI and 20 stolen bases in 119 games. The native of Lancaster, Pa., holds a .281 average in 490 minor league games since being selected by Kansas City in the second round of the 2005 June Free Agent Draft.