SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) – Right-hander Ramon Ramirez was acquired by the Kansas City Royals from the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday for a player to be named.

Also, right-hander Hideo Nomo, attempting a comeback after not pitching in the majors since 2005, injured his groin Tuesday night against San Diego and will likely begin the season on the disabled list in the minors. Nomo, who was a bullpen candidate, went 1-0 with a 4.80 ERA in seven games.

He was a non-roster invite, signed to a minor league contract.

The 26-year-old Ramirez, once one of the top prospects in Colorado’s system, set team rookie reliever records with a 3.46 ERA and 61 strikeouts in 61 appearances in 2006. He opened his career in the majors with 15 1-3 consecutive scoreless innings and finished his rookie year 4-3.

But Ramirez struggled with an elbow injury last season, going 2-2 with an 8.31 ERA in 22 games for Colorado. He was 4-0 with a 2.28 ERA in 25 appearances for Triple-A Colorado Springs.

De La Rosa was a candidate to fill one of the final two spots in Kansas City’s rotation, but had a spring ERA of 8.03 and allowed four runs in four innings during his last outing.

In another roster move, the Royals optioned right-hander Kyle Davies to Triple-A Omaha. Davies, acquired in a trade last July with Atlanta for Octavio Dotel, was 1-0 with a 4.00 ERA in three exhibition games.

With De La Rosa designated for assignment and Davies sent to the minors, left-hander John Bale and right-hander Brett Tomko have apparently won the final two rotation slots.

In other moves, the Royals assigned right-handers Roman Colon and Chin-hui Tsao and catcher Ken Huckaby to minor league camp.