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(AP) -- The Royals have promoted Terry Bradshaw to minor league hitting coordinator, Jose Castro to assistant minor league hitting coordinator and Milt Thompson to outfield, bunting and baserunning coordinator.

Bradshaw has spent the past four seasons as hitting coach for their Double-A affiliate at Northwest Arkansas.

 He takes over for Jack Maloof, who became the Royals' hitting coach.

Castro was the minor league hitting coordinator in Seattle the past five seasons, while Thompson spent the past two seasons as the Astros' minor league roving outfield and baserunning instructor.

The Royals also announced the hiring Monday of Felix Francisco as a special assignment scout focusing on international players.

(Copyright ©2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)