Giavotella recalled from Omaha; Royals go without a lefty in the 'pen
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Johnny Giavotella fan club can rejoice.
At least for a few days.
Giavotella, popular to a certain segment of the fan base, was recalled from Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday and immediately inserted into the second spot in the lineup as the starting second baseman.
But caution: Giavotella's stay likely will be brief.
Giavotella probably will be with the club for only a few days until starting second baseman Omar Infante (bruised and sprained jaw) returns to the lineup, likely this weekend.
"I understand it's only for a few days," Giavotella said before Wednesday's game. "I'll just try to do my best and help the team while I'm here. That's my goal."
The Royals also activated right-hander Louis Coleman from the disabled list. To make room, the Royals optioned out right-hander Aaron Brooks and left-hander Donnie Joseph.
Neither Brooks nor Joseph appeared in a game in their short stints here.
The moves left the Royals with an 11-man staff again, something manager Ned Yost isn't fond of.
"But hopefully, it won't be for that long," Yost said.
The move to send out Joseph over right-hander Michael Mariot was on the surface a curious one. Yost has said in the past he has been impressed with Mariot's fastball command.
But without Joseph and the injured Tim Collins, the Royals now do not have a left-hander in the bullpen.
"I consider having a left-hander down there a luxury," Yost said. "I can use (Kelvin) Herrera, (Aaron) Crow and (Wade) Davis to get left-handers out."
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Giavotella, typically a slow starter, was off to a fast start at Omaha. He was hitting .368 (7 of 19) with five doubles, three runs scored and three RBIs.
"Yeah, I don't know what it is," he said. "I've just been swinging the bat really well to start the season. Normally, it takes the warm weather to get me going."
Giavotella has split his time between third base and second base at Omaha.
"We're just looking for someone who is swinging a hot bat," Yost said. "Right now, he is."
Infante was examined again Wednesday by team doctors and Yost indicated the best-case scenario would be that Infante returns to the lineup this weekend at Minnesota.
You can follow Jeffrey Flanagan on Twitter at @jflanagan or email jeffreyflanagan6@gmail.com.
