KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Royals called up right-hander Joe Blanton on Saturday afternoon, one day after he could opt out of his minor league contract.
Blanton, who appeared in seven games and had a 3.89 ERA for Triple A Omaha, will be available for Kansas City's game against the Yankees on Saturday. In order to make room for him on the active roster, Aaron Brooks was optioned to Omaha. To create space on the 40-man roster, Brian Flynn was moved to the 60-day disabled list.
Blanton said he didn't think much about the potential opt-outs.
"I was trying to just block out the business side," Blanton said. "That's the business side of baseball. For me, it's something that I've never been through, so I really just tried to focus on baseball and pitching. Just going out there doing my everyday routine, and when it was my turn to take the mound, go out and do that."
Blanton has not appeared in the major leagues since 2013, when he went 2-14 with a 6.04 ERA for the Angels. He pitched in just two minor league games in 2014 before stepping away from the game for the rest of the year.
He signed a minor league deal with the Royals on Feb. 13, and provided the pitching length and depth that all clubs try to accrue. Blanton has topped 100 pitches twice this season and will slot into the bullpen as a long relief man, according to manager Ned Yost.
"I like that he's a veteran pitcher," Yost said. "He understands how to get hitters out and executes it."
But Blanton's call-up also makes a messy roster situation for the Royals. The club has been carrying an eight-man bullpen for three weeks, but typically had a young pitcher they could easily option back to the minors. With Brooks now gone and Blanton now up, that situation no longer exists.
When injured starter Jason Vargas (left flexor strain) returns from the disabled list, Kansas City will have 14 arms for 13 slots. It can designate for assignment one of its veteran arms or option one of its young starters.
Kratz nears return
Catcher Erik Kratz has been upping his running regimen recently as he recovers from plantar fasciitis in his left foot. Kratz said he has felt only slight pain the last few days but feels good enough to play.
He is eligible to be activated off the 15-day disabled list Tuesday. Drew Butera has filled in as backup catcher in Kratz's absence and the club will have to decide which player to retain. Both are out of options.
You can follow Matthew DeFranks on Twitter at @MDeFranks or email him at matthew.defranks@gmail.com.
