KANSAS CITY -- Left-hander Bruce Chen's often inspiring and successful six seasons with the Kansas City Royals are behind him.Chen was designated for assignment on Friday, one day after giving up six runs in the 10th inning of an 11-5 loss to the Minnesota Twins.To take his roster spot, the Royals recalled right-handed reliever Louis Coleman from Triple-A Omaha. 
Chen began this season in the Royals' rotation and but was sidetracked after four starts (1-2 record, 7.45 ERA) by a bulging disc in his back. His rotation spot was taken by left-hander Danny Duffy. When Chen returned to the roster, he was primarily used as a long reliever.Manager Ned Yost made the announcement before Friday night's game against Cleveland."It was hard but that wasn't Bruce's role. He was a starter, he fares better as a starter but we've got starters that are doing really well right now and there just wasn't a spot for him," Yost said. "And we needed somebody that could fill that role down there and be more accustomed to it."Chen, who worked his way back from Tommy John surgery with the Royals in 2009, finished his Kansas City career with a 47-43 record and a 4.53 ERA in 156 games (113 starts)."He's been here a long time, since I've here, and I've watched him win a bunch of ballgames," Yost said. "His presence on the field as well as off the field has been big for all of us."Coleman arrives with a record of 2-1, seven saves and a 3.86 ERA in 28 relief appearances for Omaha. He was with Kansas City earlier this season, going 1-0 with a 7.48 ERA in 20 games.Chen this season was 2-4 with a 7.45 ERA in 13 games. Ironically, his last victory came on July 22 in a start at Chicago, the game that started the Royals on their current 26-9 surge that has them in first place in the American League Central.Dick Kaegel / MLB.com
Chen began this season in the Royals' rotation and but was sidetracked after four starts (1-2 record, 7.45 ERA) by a bulging disc in his back. His rotation spot was taken by left-hander Danny Duffy. When Chen returned to the roster, he was primarily used as a long reliever.Manager Ned Yost made the announcement before Friday night's game against Cleveland."It was hard but that wasn't Bruce's role. He was a starter, he fares better as a starter but we've got starters that are doing really well right now and there just wasn't a spot for him," Yost said. "And we needed somebody that could fill that role down there and be more accustomed to it."Chen, who worked his way back from Tommy John surgery with the Royals in 2009, finished his Kansas City career with a 47-43 record and a 4.53 ERA in 156 games (113 starts)."He's been here a long time, since I've here, and I've watched him win a bunch of ballgames," Yost said. "His presence on the field as well as off the field has been big for all of us."Coleman arrives with a record of 2-1, seven saves and a 3.86 ERA in 28 relief appearances for Omaha. He was with Kansas City earlier this season, going 1-0 with a 7.48 ERA in 20 games.Chen this season was 2-4 with a 7.45 ERA in 13 games. Ironically, his last victory came on July 22 in a start at Chicago, the game that started the Royals on their current 26-9 surge that has them in first place in the American League Central.Dick Kaegel / MLB.com
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