"The Royals, in a move that looks to the near-term and longer-term future, traded veteran utilityman Wilson Betemit to the Detroit Tigers for two minor-league players prior to Wednesday's game against the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium.

The move was no surprise because Betemit's playing time dwindled significantly after the June 9 promotion of third baseman Mike Moustakas, one of the organization's top prospects, from Class AAA Omaha.

"He's a kid who has power from both sides," manager Ned Yost said, "but when Moose got here, he needs to play. We had the option of keeping (Betemit) as an extra infielder, but there's not playing time there."

The Royals acquired catcher Julio Rodriguez, 20, and left-handed pitcher Antonio Cruz, 19, from the Tigers. Rodriguez was assigned to Class A Wilmington, while Cruz will report to Class A Kane County.

General manager Dayton Moore said several teams inquired about Betemit, who was batting .281 with three homers and 27 RBIs in 57 games. He will be a free agent after the season and, at this point, did not figure to qualify for compensation.

As one club official noted: "His value wasn't increasing here."

So Betemit, 29, heads to Detroit, where he projects to play regularly. The Royals filled his spot on the major-league roster by recalling infielder Mike Aviles from Omaha.

"Mikey performed the way we needed him to perform once he went down there," Moore said. "We needed to get him back up here, and it opens up a roster spot for us that gives us (40-man roster) flexibility going forward."

Aviles, 30, returns after batting .307 with nine homers and 25 RBIs in 35 games at Omaha. He batted just .213 in 47 games for the Royals prior to his demotion after batting .304 last season in 110 games."