Dusty

Hughes

Hughes, 29, allowed 19 hits and 14 earned runs in 12 2/3 innings this past year for Minnesota. He’s not a reliable lefty specialist and will struggle to get beyond Triple-A in the Braves’ minor league system.

Hughes, 30, posted a 3.31 ERA in 54 appearances with the Braves’ Triple-A affiliate last season. He remains doubtful to win an Opening Day roster spot.

The 30-year-old managed just a 6.75 ERA in 12 relief appearances. As a lefty with a pulse, Hughes should find work somewhere.

The lefty had been released from a minor league deal with the Braves last month. Hughes, who posted a 4.99 ERA over parts of three major league seasons, is expected to become a coach at a private school.

Hughes is a flyball pitcher with a mediocre strikeout rate, so the AFL should be especially tough for him. However, he’s allowed just one run and three hits in seven innings to date. The 25-year-old had a 3.08 ERA in 16 starts and nine relief appearances for Double-A Wichita this season. He might have a future in middle relief.

Originally drafted in the 11th round back in 2003, the 27-year-old southpaw has seen work as a swingman with Triple-A Omaha, compiling a 3.50 ERA and 1.37 WHIP in 34 games (11 starts). Control could be a bit of a problem for him (4.2 BB/9) in the minors, but he will add some flexibility to a beleaguered bullpen.

Hughes left the mound with a trainer after throwing a high fastball to White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko. He allowed four runs -- three earned -- over his four innings of work. Yasuhiko Yabuta replaced him.

He’ll be replaced by rookie left-hander Dusty Hughes. Despite control issues, Davies had been throwing decently well for the Royals as of late, allowing only one hit in his last start while walking five in six scoreless innings. The Royals have to hope the oblique strain doesn’t linger, which is unfortunately quite often the case.

He was cleared to open up a spot on the 40-man roster, most likely for the return of Tsuyoshi Nishioka. Hughes was sent down to the minors late last month after posting a 9.95 ERA and 11/8 K/BB ratio over 11 1/3 innings.

Hughes was designated for assignment by the Royals last week. The 28-year-old left-hander posted a superficially solid 3.83 ERA across 57 relief appearances last season, but had a mediocre 34/24 K/BB ratio over 56 1/3 innings. On a good team, he’s organizational depth.