Royals send Butler down to Omaha

The Royals optioned first baseman/DH Billy Butler to Class AAA Omaha before Thursday’s game against the Twins.

Butler, 22, was hitting .263 with one home run and 18 RBIs in 53 games this season. He hit .292 with eight homers and 52 RBIs in 92 games last season, his first in the majors.

The Royals also placed right-handed reliever Leo Nuñez on the disabled list and recalled lefty reliever Neal Musser and infielder Mike Aviles from Omaha.

| Bob Dutton, bdutton@kcstar.com