Kansas City Royals recall Sebastian Rivero, place Edward Olivares on the injured list
Kansas City Royals catcher Sebastian Rivero never had to pack his bags, despite technically being returned to the minors following an uneventful stint as the 27th man for Sunday’s doubleheader.
The Royals recalled Rivero on Monday to fill the roster spot opened up by outfielder Edward Olivares going on the 10-day injured list because of a right quad strain.
Rivero, who made his major-league debut last season, began this season at Double-A Northwest Arkansas, where he’s been catching regularly. MJ Melendez, last season’s Minor League Baseball home run leader, had been catching regularly at Triple-A Omaha prior to being promoted to the majors last week after backup catcher Cam Gallagher went on the IL.
The Royals will now have three catchers on their roster with seven-time All-Star and team leader Salvador Perez handling the starting catching duties ahead of Melendez and Rivero.
Perez and Melendez will be options as designated hitters on the days when the other is catching, and Melendez has played the corner outfield positions as well as third base in the minors.
Olivares left the first game of Sunday’s doubleheader in the top of the third inning after he singled up the middle in his second at-bat to drive in the Royals’ first run. He’d started the game in right field and batted leadoff.
Olivares pulled up awkwardly as he touched first base, and manager Mike Matheny and head athletic trainer Kyle Turner came out of the dugout to check on Olivares.
After taking a few strides up the right field foul line, Olivares came off the field with Matheny and Turner. Michael A. Taylor emerged from the dugout moments later as a pinch runner.
Matheny later said Olivares’ injury occurred in the outfield while pursuing a ball hit into the right-center field gap.
In 15 games this season, Olivares had gone 13 for 35 with four doubles, three RBIs, and two stolen bases. He’d slashed .371/.421/.486.
