The Kansas City Royals announced today that they had claimed infielder Jayson Nix off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Andy McCullough of the Kansas City Star first reported the news of the claim. Nix was placed on waivers after being designated for assignment by the Pirates earlier during the week. This move will provide great depth to the Royals' organization. Nix will join the major-league team on Saturday.
Jayson Nix will now play for his fourth organization of the season, following cameos with the Tampa Bay Rays, Philadelphia Phillies and the Pirates. Nix has slashed .133/.188/.173 in 34 major league appearances, including sporting a -0.6 WAR in those games. Nix was hitting .272/.340/.408 in 55 games at Triple-A, splitting time at second base, third base and right field in the big leagues and minor leagues.
Nix will serve as infield depth for the Royals major-league team once rosters can expand on Monday, September 1st. He will be joining infielder Christian Colon as one of the backups behind starting infielders Alcides Escobar, Mike Moustakas and Omar Infante. Kansas City is hoping that Nix can provide enough help and depth that the team can make a stretch run.
Yet, Nix is not likely to play for the Royals if they do in fact make the playoffs. Kansas City will probably only carry one backup infielder if they make the postseason. In his seven-year major-league career, Nix has hit .214/.284/.347 hitter with 38 home runs and 129 runs batted in, while accumulating a 2.8 WAR in 459 games throughout his career.