The Royals have claimed infielder Joaquin Arias on outright waivers from the Mets. With the claim, the Royals now have 40 players on the Major League roster. Arias, 26, split the 2010 campaign between the Rangers and Mets organizations. The 6-foot-1 right-handed hitter and thrower opened the season with the A.L. Champion Rangers as a reserve infielder and hit .276 (27-for-98) with five doubles, one triple, nine RBI and 18 runs scored in 50 games. The Mets acquired Arias on August 31 in a trade that sent outfielder Jeff Francoeur to Texas. Arias played in 22 games for New York, batting .200 (6-for-30). The versatile infielder, whose primary position is shortstop, played each infield position in 2010 in addition to appearing once in left field. Arias is a career .276 hitter in 257 Major League games since making his debut for Texas in 2006.