KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Johnny Giavotella tryout/experiment lasted just 10 days and 34 at-bats.
Less than a full month after the Royals optioned struggling second baseman Chris Getz to Triple-A Omaha and called up Giavotella, a fan favorite, the Royals flipped the two players again Thursday.
Giavotella is back in Omaha, and Getz was recalled along with right-hander Kelvin Herrera. Left-hander Everett Teaford also was optioned to Omaha.
Giavotella hit just .206 in his brief stint with the Royals with two doubles and four RBIs. But he did not commit an error and made several excellent defensive plays.
Getz was hitting only .214 before being sent down last month. He responded by hitting .313 with five doubles and a triple for the Storm Chasers.
But Getz, who was sent down shortly after failing on a crucial sacrifice bunt in the ninth inning that may have cost the Royals a game in Cleveland, did not have a sacrifice bunt in Omaha and he also did not walk in 67 plate appearances. Getz also made three errors at Omaha.
Herrera is back with the Royals after his second demotion to the minors this season. In his latest stint with Omaha and Double-A Northwest Arkansas, he combined for a 1.00 ERA in 12 relief appearances.
The Royals are desperately hoping Herrera, a phenomenal eighth-inning setup man last season, will assume that role again as a bridge to closer Greg Holland.
You can follow Jeffrey Flanagan on Twitter at @jflanagankc or email him at jeffreyflanagan6@gmail.com
