KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas isn't going anywhere, at least for now.
All the chatter about Moustakas possibly being demoted to Triple-A Omaha proved to be nothing but white noise.
The Royals' much-anticipated roster move Tuesday turned out to be somewhat anticlimactic when the team simply put ailing second baseman Omar Infante (back spasms) on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to May 7) and recalled middle infielder Pedro Ciriaco.
Moustakas, hitting just .147 with a .215 on-base percentage, has a reprieve for now as the Royals will keep both him and second baseman Johnny Giavotella on the roster, and not recall a 12th pitcher.
"We just needed protection on the infield," manager Ned Yost said. "Omar was our protection (at shortstop behind Alcides Escobar) and with Omar out, we needed (Ciriaco)."
Asked how he will manage with just 11 pitchers, Yost said, "We'll just have to go at it day by day."
Yost indicated the whole Moustakas-to-the-minors debate wasn't really much of one at all.
"There was a little discussion about it," Yost said, "but nothing very serious.
"It's about winning baseball games, and he helps us win games defensively and he can change the outcome of a game with one swing."
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Royals general manager Dayton Moore reiterated that it is not out of the question that Moustakas could be sent down to Triple A at some point, but as of now, the Royals don't have any better option at third base.
"You can make moves, but what is the alternative?" Moore said. "We don't have a viable alternative in the long term. He plays solid defense for us."
Moustakas said he hasn't thought about a possible demotion.
"My attitude is great," he said. "I'll just keep working and trying to help this team win."
As for Infante, Yost said the Royals gave Infante an anti-inflammatory shot after a brief workout Monday.
"He came out Monday to do some swings in the cage and field some grounders," Yost said. "He took about 10 swings and his back stiffened up. He's going to need at least another five days or so."
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