Royals’ Omar Infante has inflammation in elbow

The MRI of Royals second baseman Omar Infante revealed that a spur has caused inflammation in his right elbow.

It’s a similar condition that bothered Infante last spring, and Royals manager Ned Yost said he is awaiting word on whether Infante will receive a cortisone shot or other form of treatment. There is no definite timetable for Infante’s return, but the injury is not considered long term.

“It’s something he’s always had,” Yost said. “There were no loose (bones) or anything like that; it was exactly the same as it was last year at this time.

“He’ll work through it. He worked through it last spring. He’ll work through it this spring. At times it will get inflamed. We just get the inflammation out and he’ll be fine.”

Infante, 33, battled injuries throughout his first season in Kansas City last year, including shoulder, elbow and a lower-back injury which resulted in a 15-day stay on the disabled list last May.

Still, he appeared in 135 regular-season games, hit .252 with a career-best 66 RBIs and played in all 15 postseason games, hitting .255 with a home run and six RBIs.

Former first-round pick Christian Colon has started three of four exhibition games and is hitting .333 after producing an RBI single in two at bats in Saturday’s 3-2 win over Cincinnati.

“We feel good with Colon,” Yost said. “We feel good with the options we have … ”

Those options also include Ryan Roberts, a nonroster veteran who has spent parts of nine seasons with five different teams, playing every position except pitcher, catcher and center field in 518 big-league games. Roberts had two hits, including a double and three RBIs in Friday’s 11-8 exhibition win over Cleveland.

“I’m going to play as hard as I can,” Colon said. “It’s not my decision to make. The chips are going to fall where they fall. I contributed last year, I felt good with the bat, and build off of that.”

Colon hit .333 in 45 plate appearances and drove in the game-tying run and scored the winning run in the 12th inning of the Wild Card Game win over Oakland as a utility infielder and backup to Infante.

“He’s battling through it,” Colon said of Infante. “He’s a warrior. Last year you got a taste of what kind of player and what kind of gutsy performance he puts on. He goes out there no matter what and be a leader for us and play good defense. He did well … 66 RBIs …

“We’re going to be ready for whatever happens. If I have to cover for him, I’ll be ready to go.”

Rios goes deep again

Newly acquired outfielder Alex Rios clubbed his third home run of the spring on Saturday and is six for nine with two doubles, seven RBIs, a .667 batting average and a 1.889 slugging percentage.

“We talked about Rios being healthy this year is going to be a key for him,” Yost said. “They made a lot of noise about him during the offseason about his four home runs last year. I think his (injured) thumb has had to do a lot to do with it, obviously.

“This kid has power. He’s a doubles, triples machine, with power. When he’s healthy, he’s a very, very productive offensive performer.”

Rios’ home runs can’t be attributed solely to the dry, thin Arizona air.

“I’m hitting them pretty good, and that’s a good thing,” said Rios, 31. “Hitting is tough by itself, and when you’re dealing with injuries, it complicates the equation even more. Imagine running a marathon with a broken toe or something like that.

“You’re still going to be able to run, but it’s going to make it difficult. Any player who is healthy, it makes a big difference.”

Eibner makes impression

Rookie outfielder Brett Eibner, who got the day off on Saturday, has hit two home runs in two spring training games, and that comes as no surprise to Yost.

Eibner hit double-digit home runs in each of his first three minor-league stops, including 19 at Class AA Arkansas in 2013. He hit seven in 74 games at Omaha last season.

“He’s always been impressive to me,” Yost said. “There are certain kids who come as backups and certain kids who come from the minor-league camp to play, and he’s always played good for me, and this spring is no different.”

This story was originally published March 7, 2015 at 7:07 PM with the headline "Royals’ Omar Infante has inflammation in elbow."