The Royals made something of a free-agent splash Friday by adding former Philadelphia assistant general manager Mike Arbuckle to their front office.</p><p> Arbuckle, 58, spent the last 16 years with the Phillies but left the organization earlier this month when club elevated another assistant general manager, Ruben Amaro Jr., to replace departing Pat Gillick as general manager.</p><p> The Royals hired Arbuckle, who lives in Liberty, as a senior advisor to general manager Dayton Moore for scouting and player development.</p><p> “Mike has a great eye for talent and a great track record for building a farm system,” Moore said. “When he became available, we didn’t have this position. But we were fortunate to get the support we needed (from ownership) to create the position.”</p><p> Arbuckle has spent the last 30 years in pro baseball. He joined the Phillies in 1992 as director of scouting. He became their assistant GM for scouting and player development after the 2001 season.</p><p> “I know things are moving forward here with the Royals,” he said, “and I’m anxious to lend what I can to the process.”</p><p> Arbuckle served as a scout and a cross-checker for Atlanta from 1980-92. He began his pro career as an associate scout in 1979 with the Phillies.</p><p><strong>Roster moves</strong></p><p> The Royals cleaned up their 40-man roster by trimming three pitchers. Lefty Josh Newman and right-hander Luke Hudson were designated for assignment, while the club asked for release waivers on righty Ryan Braun.</p><p> Friday marked the deadline for clubs to reinstate players from the 60-day disabled list. The Royals reinstated outfielder Shane Costa and right-handed pitchers Luke Hochevar and Carlos Rosa.</p><p> Hochevar, 25, didn’t pitch after Aug. 19 because of a severe bruise above his right rib cage. Rosa, 24, didn’t pitch after Aug. 13 because of a strained right elbow. Costa, 26, didn’t play after July 9 because of shoulder surgery.</p><p> The moves left the club with 40 players on its organizational roster. Additional moves are possible before the Thursday’s deadline for setting the 40-man roster in advance of the Rule 5 draft.</p><p> Newman, 26, pitched primarily at Class AAA Omaha after joining the Royals in a July 11 waiver claim from Colorado. He made four big-league appearances and allowed nine runs and 10 hits in seven innings.</p><p> Braun, 28, missed all of last season after undergoing reconstructive-elbow surgery. Hudson, 31, missed most of the last two seasons because of shoulder and biceps problems.</p><p> The Royals have interest in retaining Braun and Hudson on minor-league deals.</p><p><strong>Familiarity mattered</strong></p><p> Veteran pitcher Brandon Duckworth opted for familiar surroundings this week in choosing to remain with the Royals rather than test the free-agent market.</p><p> “Everybody knows me there,” he said. “They know what I can do and know that I can fill a number of roles. I’m comfortable there. You go somewhere else, and you don’t know what is going to happen.”</p><p> Duckworth, 32, spent most of last season at Omaha before joining the rotation in August following Hochevar’s injury. Duckworth went 3-3 with a 4.50 ERA in seven starts.</p><p> The Royals sent Duckworth to Omaha on an outright assignment earlier this week after he cleared waivers. He could have chosen instead to become a free agent but agreed to a split contract: $600,000 if he makes the big-league club and $300,000 if he pitches in the minors.</p><p> The Royals sweetened the deal by offering an invitation to big-league camp. Duckworth projects as a long shot to make the rotation but could pitch his way onto the club in the bullpen. </p><p> “It will (work out),” he said. “There are things that always happen.” </p><p><strong>Royals’ 40-man roster</strong></p><p> Pitchers (19): John Bale, Brian Bannister, Jairo Curvas, Kyle Davies, Jeff Fulchino, Jimmy Gobble, Zack Greinke, Luke Hochevar, Devon Lowery, Tyler Lumsden, Ron Mahay, Gil Meche, Neal Musser, Joel Peralta, Julio Pimentel, Ramon Ramirez, Carlos Rosa, Joakim Soria and Robinson Tejeda.</p><p> Catchers (3): John Buck, Miguel Olivo and Brayan Peña.</p><p> Infielders (12): Mike Aviles, Billy Butler, Alberto Callaspo, Esteban German, Russ Gload, Alex Gordon, Mike Jacobs, Kila Ka’aihue, Mario Lisson, Tony Peña, Ryan Shealy and Jason Smith.</p><p> Outfielders (6): Shane Costa, David DeJesus, Joey Gathright, José Guillen, Mitch Maier and Mark Teahen.