KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals designated RHP Yasuhiko Yabuta for assignment today and placed second baseman Mark Grudzielanek on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained right ankle.

The Royals also recalled infielder Jason Smith from Triple-A Omaha.

Yabuta, 35, a longtime star for the Chiba Lotte Mariners in Japanese baseball, signed a two-year, $6 million contract last November. First-year manager Trey Hillman, who spent the previous five years managing in Japan, planned to use him in middle relief. But he never was effective in his first stint in the major leagues and was sent to Triple-A Omaha on June 25 with a 1-3 record and a 5.46 ERA.

The Royals have an option for a third year for Yabuta and will pay a $500,000 buyout if they choose not to exercise it.

Grudzielanek, 38, was injured Friday night in a collision with Ross Gload.

Smith, 31, hit .253 in 110 games for Omaha with team highs with 20 home runs and 62 RBIs.