MINNEAPOLIS - Raul Ibanezs first opportunity to be an everyday major league player came with the Kansas City Royals. Returning to the Royals more than a decade later, his hope is for another experience: post-season play. The Royals signed the 42-year-old Ibanez Monday, nine days after he was released by the Los Angeles Angels. "Its been in the works for a while. I was really excited about the opportunity to come here. I like the makeup of the club, and I like the possibilities. Theyre endless," Ibanez said in Minnesota before the Royals played the Twins. "Theres a great opportunity to do some special things here." The Royals entered Monday 3 1/2 games behind first-place Detroit in the AL Central and 1 1/2 games out of a wild-card spot. Manager Ned Yost said hell probably play Ibanez in the outfield, at first base and as the designated hitter. "Hes what we call a professional hitter," Yost said. "So we think hes going to be a big addition to our team." Ibanez, the second-oldest active player in the majors behind Clevelands Jason Giambi, who is on the disabled list, batted just .157 in 57 games for the Angels. Though 10 of his 26 hits were for extra bases, he said his balance was "totally off" at the plate. "Im just going to be myself and try to help this team any way I can," Ibanez said. This is his fifth team since 2011. Ibanez hit 29 home runs just last year for Seattle, the team that he broke in with in 1996. He didnt regularly crack the lineup until joining the Royals in 2001, and in 2002 he had his breakout year with a .294 batting average, 37 doubles, 24 home runs and 103 RBIs in 137 games. "I have some very fond memories of the city. My son was born in Kansas City. Nothing would please me more than to be part of something that hasnt been done here in a long time, and thats getting into the post-season," Ibanez said. "Ive been in from the other side, and when youre playing against them you look at that team and you realize how far the organization has come and how much progress theyve made." The Royals made several moves Monday. Ibanez and infielder Christian Colon were added to the roster, and infielder Pedro Ciriaco and outfielder Justin Maxwell were designated for assignment. Colon was recalled from Triple-A. The fourth overall pick in the 2010 draft was batting .296 with 48 runs, 14 doubles and 14 steals in 74 games for Omaha. Yost said Colon will play second base, shortstop and third base. Kansas City also traded left-hander Donnie Joseph to the Miami Marlins for cash. He was designated for assignment on June 24. The 26-year-old Joseph pitched in one game for Kansas City this season, getting two outs on June 16 in Detroit. The Royals got him during the 2012 season in a trade that sent reliever Jonathan Broxton to Cincinnati. Ryan Carpenter Jersey . 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In Englands first game since its worst-ever World Cup showing, Roy Hodgsons side rarely looked like scoring against unambitious opposition and the breakthrough in the friendly only came when Raheem Sterling was tripped in the penalty area.Saracens prop Mako Vunipola is hoping to take his club form into Englands autumn international series and is relishing a chance to get stuck into South Africa on Saturday, live on Sky Sports 1. The Saracens prop has been in impressive form and his recent performances in the Champions Cup earned him rave reviews. England vs South Africa November 12, 2016, 2:00pm Live on Get Sky Sports Get a Sky Sports pass From being second in the tackle count against Toulon (his brother Billy was top) to scoring a great try against the Scarlets, it seems England have a prop who can do it all. And while he feels a little uncomfortable with all the plaudits, he admits that he is loving his rugby at the moment. Im not sure if the backs are getting tired of me always being in the way, but I am really enjoying my rugby at the moment, Vunipola told skysports.com.Scoring that try against the Scarlets was great but if I had a choice I would say its better to dominate your opponent at the scrum than scoring tries - if you can do that, then you can really give your team a platform to build on. Mako Vunipola scores a great try for Saracens against Scarlets Its tough these days though as you have to work really hard to get one over your opponent - but when you do, its a really satisfying moment.Its nice to hear people appreciate what I am doing on the pitch but rugby is not about one person and I am lucky enough to be in a great side who are all playing well.England kick off their autumn series against South Africa on Saturday and although they have not beaten the Boks in 10 years, Eddie Jones men are still the favourites to extend their match-winning streak to ten.The Boks are in a re-building phase and they have lost four of their last five Tests, however Vunipola says they are still one of the toughest opponents out there and England will have to be ready for a bruising battle.South Africa are a very physical side - you can never underestimate them, added Vunipola, who will win his 36th cap if selected. Watch Now TV Watch Sky Sports for just ￡6.dddddddddddd99. No contract. Their record against us stands for itself. They may have slipped down the rankings but we know on Saturday that the best prepared South African team is going to turn up. They will be wounded after the Rugby Championship and have everything to fight for.Its always a big game between England and South Africa and we expect a very tough challenge. Form and rankings go out the window and its going to be a brutal challenge.Our coaching staff will analyse what the Boks have been doing but for us its a case of knowing what our game plan is and implementing that. We know what their strengths are - that physicality that they bring, so we will really need to match that.Strong DefenceDefence will be key on Saturday and Vunipola, who likes a tackle, says league coach Jason Ryles has given them plenty of ideas after joining the England coaching team for the autumn.Obviously I work hard on the technical stuff of a scrum and aim to get better at that but Ive also be working a lot on my defensive role with Jason Ryles, who has come in from the NRL. Hes brought in some different tackle techniques and given us a few ideas of what say the second man in does. Jason Ryles puts England through their defensive paces Vunipola was one of the stars of the summer series where England whitewashed Australia along with the likes of James Haskell and his Saracens team-mates George Kruis and Maro Itoje.With Kruis and Itoje out injured, Vunipola will have a different lock partnership packing down behind him but says whoever Jones picks will be up for the job.One of the biggest parts of international rugby is getting to know each other and how we all play. The quicker we can do that, the better - obviously playing with George and Itoje at Saracens has been a huge help for me as we know each other so well.Their injuries have been a big blow for them but we have Joe Launchbury and Courtney Lawes as well as Dave Attwood and Charlie Ewels. We are well covered there and the competition for the second row is really fierce.Down to a teeApart from working on his propping skills and defence, Mako is also a big fan of kicking the ball, which did not go down too well with England and Sarries team-mate Owen Farrell. Owen Farrell gives Vunipola some kicking tips during England training I like to kick the ball - a lot. I get a lot of stick for it and Faz used to get annoyed when I kicked all the balls he was using to practise with, said Vunipola.But Ive joined in with him now and hes actually given me one of his kicking tees. After training we have a bit of a kicking practice - we have a bit of a competition going but as you would expect hes totally dominating it.Hes giving me a few pointers and you never know, one day I may get the call!Watch England v South Africa live on Sky Sports 1 HD on Saturday from 2pm. Watch on NOW TV for £6.99. No contract. 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