Kansas City, Mo. ? Aaron Brooks is joining the Kansas City Royals pitching staff, and Yohan Pino is going back to the minors.

Pino was optioned to Triple-A Omaha after going 5 1/3 innings Friday in a loss to Boston in his first big-league start this season. He gave up six runs on 11 hits, four for extra bases, and a walk.

Brooks, a 25-year-old right-hander, is in his third stint with the Royals. He pitched a scoreless inning of relief May 15 against the New York Yankees in his only outing. He went 4-3 with a 3.42 ERA with 71 strikeouts in 71 innings with Omaha.

Brooks will be used in relief. Left-hander Danny Duffy will come off the disabled list and is to start Wednesday at Seattle.