Royals demote Rekar, call catcher Brito

Detroit Pitcher Bryan Rekar was sent outright to Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday by the Kansas City Royals, who purchased the contract of catcher Juan Brito from the Pacific Coast League team.

Rekar, a 29-year-old right-hander, was 0-2 with a 15.43 ERA in two starts and seven innings. He is to be replaced in the rotation by Jeremy Affeldt.

Brito was batting .222 (2-for-9) at Omaha with one home run.

Rangers’ Zimmerman undergoes surgery

Toronto Texas Rangers right-hander Jeff Zimmerman underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow Wednesday. Dr. John Conway removed scar tissue from the outside part of Zimmerman’s elbow. Conway said the surgery went as expected.

The Rangers hope Zimmerman will be able to begin a throwing program in three weeks.

Zimmerman, whose 28 saves last season included a team-record 17 straight at the end of the year, hasn’t pitched because of tendinitis in his right elbow. He made little progress over the past month.

Marlins shelve Beckett

St. Louis Florida Marlins right-hander Josh Beckett, who has a large blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand, was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday. The move was made retroactive to Monday for Beckett, 0-2 with a 3.52 ERA in five starts. The blister bothered him most of the month, and he was limited to five innings April 12 against the Braves and six innings April 18 against the Phillies.