Kansas City, MO (SportsNetwork. Marcell Ozuna Jersey .com) - The Kansas City Royals optioned struggling third baseman Mike Moustakas to Triple-A Omaha on Thursday. Moustakas, the second overall pick in the 2007 draft, is hitting just .152 with seven doubles, four homers and 17 RBI in 40 games this season. The 25-year-old Moustakas hasnt appeared in a game at Triple-A since 2011. In a corresponding roster move, infielder/outfielder Jimmy Paredes will be recalled prior to Fridays game in Anaheim. Lance Lynn Jersey .ca presents its latest weekly power rankings for the 2013-14 Barclays Premier League season. Whitey Herzog Jersey . The team let Keaton Ellerby, James Wright and Matt Halischuk become unrestricted free agents after declining to make them qualifying offers. Ellerby, 25, appeared in 51 games for the Jets last season and had two goals and four assists. http://www.cardinalsrookiestore.com/Cardinals-Matt-Carpenter-Kids-Jersey/ . In the second game of their day/night doubleheader at Minneapolis, three Blue Jays pitchers, Steve Delabar, Sergio Santos and J.Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant cited old age and sore knees as his reasons for sitting out Thursday nights game against the Chicago Bulls. Its extremely difficult, especially playing here, playing on Christmas Day and playing in this city. I love playing here, Bryant said while speaking to reporters. The fans have always been great. Theres always a lot of energy in the building. At the same time, Ive just got to try to be smart. Its really going against my nature, but Ive got to be smart about this. The 36-year-old Bryant, who is averaging 24.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists, did not playy in Tuesdays home win over Golden State. Ozzie Smith Jersey. Thursday was to have been his 16th career game played on Christmas Day. Old age. My knees are sore at this stage of the season, Bryant commented. My Achilles are sore, both of them. My metatarsals are tight, back is tight. I just need to kind of hit the reset button. When I have a couple of days, the body realizes how messed up it is. Everything else starts hurting. Bryant currently averages 35.4 minutes played over 27 contests this season, but his court time will be cut down. Ill get back to being healthy like I was at the start of the season, he said. ' ' '