Royals pick up C Kottaras off waivers

The Kansas City Royals claimed catcher George Kottaras off waivers from the Oakland A's on Friday.

Kottaras had signed a one-year, $1 million contract this month with Oakland to avoid arbitration. The Royals will be bound to that salary in 2013.

After the A's landed catcher John Jaso from Seattle in a trade last week, the 29-year-old Kottaras was designated for assignment.

In 85 games last season with the Milwaukee Brewers and Oakland, Kottaras hit .211 with nine home runs and 31 RBI.

The Royals are likely to use Kottaras as a backup to Salvador Perez this season.