The Yankees released Kanekoa Texeira, according to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch (on Twitter). The Yankees had claimed the 25-year-old right-hander from the Royals this May.
Texeira joined the Yankees organization in the 2008 Nick Swisher trade, but he has never donned pinstripes at the Major League level. The Mariners selected him in the 2009 Rule 5 draft and kept him on their roster for two months before exposing him to waivers. The Royals then claimed the Hawaiian and kept him on their roster for the remainder of the 2010 season to earn his rights before losing him to the Yankees.
Texeira posted a 10.43 ERA with 4.9 K/9 and 6.1 BB/9 in 14 2/3 innings total at Triple-A this year. The former 22nd rounder has a 4.66 ERA with 4.4 K/9 and 3.7 BB/9 in 67 2/3 MLB innings.
