KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals purchased the contract of left-hander Francisley Bueno from Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.

Bueno was 3-3 with a 2.93 ERA and one save in 30 relief appearances and a start in the Pacific Coast League. He was 2-0 with a 0.87 ERA in his past six appearances. Bueno pitched in 18 games last season for Kansas City, going 1-1 with a 1.56 ERA.

The Royals optioned left-hander Danny Duffy, who gave up two runs on six hits, while striking out seven in 3 2-3 innings in a start Wednesday against Minnesota. It was his first big league outing since May 13, 2012 and undergoing reconstructive elbow surgery.

The Royals requested release waivers on catcher Adam Moore to make roster space for Bueno on the 40-man major league roster.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City bullpen picked up starter Danny Duffy when he labored in his return from Tommy John surgery, keeping the Minnesota Twins guessing Wednesday night and sending the Royals to a 5-2 victory and series win.

Duffy struck out seven in 3 2-3 innings in his first outing since May 2012, but needed 93 pitches to get that far. He left trailing 2-1 on another humid night at Kauffman Stadium.

Louis Coleman (2-0) and three more Kansas City relievers managed to navigate the next 4 1-3 innings, and All-Star closer Greg Holland worked around a single in the ninth for his 30th save.

Royals pitchers combined to strike out 16.

Samuel Deduno (7-5) allowed four runs on 12 hits in 5 2-3 innings.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals have optioned left-hander Will Smith to Triple-A Omaha to make room for Danny Duffy to start Wednesday’s game against the Minnesota Twins.

Smith is 1-1 with a 3.26 ERA in seven games. He struck out five in three perfect relief innings in Tuesday night’s 7-0 loss to Minnesota.

Duffy was making his first major league start since May 13, 2012, at Chicago. He left after facing only three batters due to an elbow injury and underwent Tommy John surgery in June.