Cheslor Cuthbert sent back down to Class AAA Omaha

With the activation of Mike Moustakas from the bereavement list, the Royals had to send down Cheslor Cuthbert to Class AAA Omaha.

Cuthbert was a reliable replacement in Moustakas’ absence, going five for 15 at the plate with a triple and two RBIs in his first four big-league games.

“He had nice at-bats,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “There was no rookie jitters.

“He knows now that he can play here at this level.”

Cuthbert certainly won’t forget memories from his first major league experience, including his first hit — a single in between short and third off of Rays pitcher Matt Moore on Tuesday. But what he’ll also take with him is the work ethic and focus he was exposed to in the Royals clubhouse

“When I go back there (the minors) I am going to try to remember all these guys do to keep consistent,” Cuthbert said. “So I’m going to try and do the same thing down there too.”"

Cuthbert, 22, hit .256 with eight home runs in 76 games with Omaha before his call up.

Yost was more than satisfied with the way Cuthbert swung the stick and manned the hot corner in his short time with the club, but he was more impressed with Cuthbert’s approach, saying that his short tenure with the club has important mental consequences.

“As a young guy, you’re always wondering, ‘What’s it like?’ ” Yost said. “And you come in and compete and hold your own? Now it’s a knowledge that, ‘Hey, I can do this. I can compete up here.’ ”

While a host of Royals players will head to Cincinnati for the All-Star Game, Cuthbert will be in town for the Futures Game this Sunday, the second time he’s played in the game featuring baseball’s brightest prospects.

“We feel it’s important for him, although he’s played in it before,” Yost said. “Anytime you get involved in a situation like that it’s very special.”

Now that Cuthbert has a taste of life in majors, his goal is to make sure he doesn’t spend too much time away from Kansas City.

“I’m just going to keep working on my game and try to get better,” Cuthbert said. “Keep working on stuff and get back as soon as possible.”

This story was originally published July 10, 2015 at 9:23 PM with the headline "Cheslor Cuthbert sent back down to Class AAA Omaha."