KANSAS CITY, MO - The Kansas City Royals have announced that the club has agreed to terms on 2010 Major League contracts with right-handed pitcher Victor Marte and infielder Jeff Bianchi. Consistent with club policy, terms of the contracts were not disclosed. Marte, 29, saw his first action in the Majors for the Royals in 2009, appearing in eight September games and recording an 8.25 ERA. The Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic resident also pitched at Northwest Arkansas (AA) and Omaha (AAA) last season, combining for a 3-5 record with a 2.24 ERA in 39 relief stints. The 6-foot-2 Marte was signed by the Royals as a non-drafted free agent on December 15, 2000.The 23-year old Bianchi opened last season playing for High Class A Wilmington before being promoted to Northwest Arkansas in June. He combined to hit .308 at both stops, the third-best average among all Royals farmhands. The shortstop also recorded 29 doubles and nine home runs while driving in 70, scoring 74 and stealing 22 bases in 28 attempts. The 6-foot native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was the Royals' second-round pick in the 2005 Draft.
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