Royals' Joe Saunders opts out of minor league deal after only four starts

The Kansas City Royals released Joe Saunders Tuesday night after only four starts with the organization's triple-A Omaha Storm-Chasers.

The Kansas City Royals released Joe Saunders after he made only four starts with the organization's triple-A Omaha Storm-Chasers, the club announced Tuesday night. Chris Cotillo reported Saunders opted out of his recent deal with the Royals, prompting the club to cut him.  

Saunders was 1-2 with a 6.75 ERA over four starts for the Pacific Coast League club. 

The Royals had just signed Saunders four weeks ago after the Texas Rangers cut him on July 4. Saunders split time earlier this season between the Rangers minor league system as well as the major league club, with which he went 0-5 and posted a 6.13 ERA in eight starts. 

Saunders was an all-star pitcher as recently as 2008, when he won 17 games for the Los Angeles Angels. After splitting time between Arizona and Baltimore during the 2012 season, Saunders started a full 32 games last year for the Seattle Mariners. 

More: Joe Saunders signing exposes rotation concerns 

- Will Green