Royals to recall Mazzaro from Omaha to make Tuesday start

By BOB DUTTON

The Kansas City Star

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The Royals plan to recall right-handed pitcher Vin Mazzaro from Class AAA Omaha in time to start Tuesday's game against Toronto at Kauffman Stadium.

It will be Mazzaro’s first big-league appearance since he allowed 14 runs in a 2 1/3-inning relief appearance May 16 in a 19-1 loss to Cleveland. He was optioned to Omaha after the game.

“He’s gone back and three straight quality starts (at Omaha),” manager Ned Yost said, “and we need to give him an opportunity. We need to give him a chance. We need to give him a look under more fair circumstances than he got last time.”

The Royals did not announce a corresponding move to clear space for Mazzaro, but they seem likely to option reliever Jesse Chavez to Omaha. Chavez, 27, arrived last Friday and allowed two runs Sunday while pitching the ninth inning against Minnesota.

The need for a starter Tuesday stems from an injury to Sean O’Sullivan, who was placed on the disabled list last Friday because of tendinitis in his right biceps.

Mazzaro, 24, opened the season at Omaha before an injury to left-hander Bruce Chen prompted a May 11 recall. He started that night at Yankee Stadium but lasted just four innings and got a no-decision in a 4-3 victory in 11 innings.

The relief outing against Cleveland was Mazzaro’s only other appearance before returning to Omaha. Yost said plans call for Mazzaro to get at least “a couple of starts” to provide a better evaluation period.

The Royals acquired Mazzaro with minor-league pitcher Justin Marks in a Nov. 10, 2010 trade with Oakland for outfielder David DeJesus. Mazzaro was 10-17 with a 4.72 ERA in 41 games, including 35 starts, for the A’s in 2009-10.