Royals dump Febles

? Carlos Febles, once considered Kansas City’s second baseman of the future, was designated for assignment Tuesday and likely is finished with the club.

Febles had been a disappointment both offensively and defensively despite occasional flashes since his rookie season in 1999.

Febles and center fielder Carlos Beltran came up together through the minor-league system and were expected to become impact players.

But Febles never got his career going and came into this season with a .252 lifetime average.

“I’m disappointed. But I’m mainly disappointed in myself,” the 27-year-old Febles said. “I came out of spring training with big expectations and didn’t fulfill them. I didn’t do my job.”

Febles was hitting .235 with 11 RBIs in 196 at-bats for the AL Central leaders. His fielding error on a potential double-play grounder in the ninth inning last week led to a three-run rally by Tampa Bay and a 3-2 loss.