Surprise, Ariz. ? The Kansas City Royals announced Friday they had signed 13 players, including right-handers Runelvys Hernandez, who drew the club’s opening-day assignment last year, and D.J. Carrasco, who went 6-5 with two saves and a 4.82 earned-run average as a rookie.

Hernandez went 4-0 with a 1.36 ERA in his first six starts last season, but went on the disabled list in May and again in August and needed major elbow surgery in September. It is unlikely that Hernandez will pitch this year in the majors.

The Royals also signed right-hander Miguel Asencio, who had elbow surgery last June.

Other signees were pitchers Kyle Snyder, Brian Bass, Joe Dawley, Nate Field and Brad Voyles, catcher Mike Tonis and outfielders Dee Brown, Byron Gettis, Rich Thompson and Alexis Gomez.

All 13 players have less than three years experience in the majors and are ineligible for arbitration.

The Royals have 28 players on their 40-man roster under contract for this season.