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Yuniesky Betancourt is back with the Kansas City Royals after a one-season stopoff with the Milwaukee Brewers.

The shortstop, who came over to Milwaukee a year ago along with pitcher Zack Greinke in exchange for a boatload of Brewers prospects, signed a one-year deal with the Royals today.

Betancourt, who hit .252 with 13 home runs and 68 runs batted in the regular season and .310 in the post-season, had his contract bought out for $2 million by the Brewers in November. Milwaukee then went on to sign free agent Alex Gonzalez as his replacement earlier this month.

According to Royals general manager Dayton Moore, Betancourt projects as a utility man in Kansas City this time around. The starting shortstop job is filled by Alcides Escobar, who came over from the Brewers as part of last year's trade.

Moore said Betancourt will also be called upon to play some second and third base.