Royals signed C Jason Kendall to a minor leaugue contract; assigned him to Double-A Northwest Arkansas. Kendall hasn't appeared in a major league game since 2010 and just turned 38 years old. He seems doubtful to climb all the way up to Kansas City this summer.

Royals activated C Jason Kendall from the 60-day disabled list. Kendall missed all of this season following major surgery on his right shoulder and ultimately had to undergo another operation. The 37-year-old's career is likely over.

Jason Kendall has been diagnosed with two tears in his rotator cuff and will undergo surgery. "That takes him out of the picture for this year and out of the picture for next year," Royals manager Ned Yost said Thursday. "I think it's more a quality-of-life surgery so he can have function in his shoulder." The 37-year-old Kendall seems likely to hang up his cleats for good.

Jason Kendall (shoulder) is headed to the Royals' spring training facility in Arizona to begin a rehab assignment. There's still no timetable for his return, but if he continues to progress, he seems likely to be ready sometime around the All-Star break. Kendall is recovering from major surgery on his right shoulder.