Pirates acquired 1B Clint Robinson and RHP Vin Mazzaro from the Royals for LHP Luis Rico and RHP Luis Santos.

Another player who was designated for assignment by the Royals last week, Robinson owns a .308/.382/.520 batting line over six seasons in the minor leagues. He turns 28 in February, so he is well past being considered a prospect, but he could end up being useful organizational depth.

Royals designated 1B Clint Robinson for assignment.

Robinson, who turns 28 in April, batted .292/.393/.452 with 13 homers and an .845 OPS this season at the Triple-A level and got four at-bats during his first taste of the big leagues in June. He'd probably be better off with a fresh start elsewhere at this point of his career.

Royals recalled 1B Clint Robinson from Triple-A Omaha.

Robinson has another nice year at Triple-A this season, batting .292/.393/.452 with 13 homers. But, with Eric Hosmer at first base and Billy Butler at DH, he doesn't have a clear path to playing time in Kansas City.

Royals optioned 1B Clint Robinson, OF David Lough and OF Derrick Robinson to Triple-A Omaha.

Clint Robinson, 27, has unfortunately been caught on the wrong end of Kansas City's glut of prospects. He had another terrific year in 2011, batting .326/.399/.533 with 23 homers and 100 RBI at Triple-A Omaha, this after posting a .335/.410/.625 line with 29 homers at Double-A the season before. Unfortunately it looks like he'll be stuck at Triple-A for the foreseeable future unless a rash of injuries occur.

Royals first base prospect Clint Robinson has been scratched from the Arizona Fall League due to a sports hernia.

It's a bummer that he won't be able to show off his skills in the AFL, but Robinson should be fine by next spring. Ranked by Baseball America prior to the season as the No. 28 prospect in a loaded Royals system, Robinson had another terrific year in 2011, batting .326/.399/.533 with 23 homers and 100 RBI at Triple-A Omaha. With Eric Hosmer and Billy Butler blocking him, he might be best served as trade bait for starting pitching.

Clint Robinson hit a pair of solo homers Thursday for Triple-A Omaha.

Robinson hit .335/.410/.625 with 29 homers in Double-A last season, but the Royals have him batting sixth in Omaha's lineup, with Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas making up the most promising three-four lineup combination in the minors. Robinson's chances of getting a shot this year hinge on Kila Ka'aihue's performance for the Royals. If it doesn't happen for him this year, he's not likely to be a factor going forward, as the Royals figure to have Hosmer at first base and Billy Butler at DH for several years beginning in 2012.

Clint Robinson, last year's Texas League Triple Crown winner, is part of a crowded field competing for the Royals' first base job.

Last season Robinson hit .335/.410/.625 with 29 home runs and 98 RBI at Double-A Northwest Arkansas. But Bill Butler and Kila Ka'aihue are likely to split time at first base this year, while Eric Hosmer also is vying for at-bats. Manager Ned Yost understands his enviable dilemma, saying, "We're a little log-jammed, and we'll just have to find him a position where we can utilize that offensive production at the big league level." Although Robinson, 26, could be ready for the majors, he might have to spend another year in the minors until or unless the competition thins out.