Royals notes: Right-hander Dillon Gee recalled, left-hander Scott Alexander sent down

In an expected move, the Royals recalled right-handed pitcher Dillon Gee from Class AAA Omaha on Saturday morning.

Gee had spent the requisite 10 days in the minor leagues after being optioned on June 1 to create roster flexibility after an injury to outfielder Brett Eibner. He rejoined the Royals on Friday night in Chicago and was available Saturday.

In a corresponding roster move, the club optioned left-handed reliever Scott Alexander back to Omaha. Royals manager Ned Yost described optioning Alexander as the practical move.

“He’s got options,” Yost said. “(We) keep our inventory.”

Alexander, 26, posted a 4.85 ERA in 13 innings after being recalled on May 12. A former 10th-round pick in 2010, Alexander allowed just three runs in 10 1/3 innings in May. He allowed four runs in 2  2/3 innings over his last two appearances.

Gee, meanwhile, will work in long relief after spending time in the bullpen and rotation this season. In 20  2/3 innings as a reliever, Gee allowed just six earned runs, recording a 2.61 ERA. He joined the rotation in mid May after injury and ineffectiveness forced Chris Young to the disabled list. He posted a 6.05 ERA in four starts, allowing nine earned runs in his last two outings before being optioned to Omaha.

For now, the Royals plan to move forward with 12 pitchers on their roster. After a day off Thursday, the team will play 10 games in 10 days before having two off days sandwiched around a two-game series at the New York Mets.

Infante out of lineup again

With 12 pitchers on the roster, the Royals have been able to move forward with second baseman Omar Infante confined to the bench. Infante was out of the starting lineup for the eighth straight game on Saturday. He has started just twice in the Royals’ last 12 games.

Infante, 34, is in the third year of a four-year, $30 million contract, signed before the 2014 season. He is owed more than $12.5 million through 2017, including a $2 million buyout on an option in 2018.

“I’m sure we will (carry 13 pitchers) here when we need it,” Yost said. “We just don’t need it right now. Colon gives us better options at second right now, because Omar’s numbers against (Chris) Sale and (Jose) Quintana aren’t very good.”

This story was originally published June 11, 2016 at 12:22 PM with the headline "Royals notes: Right-hander Dillon Gee recalled, left-hander Scott Alexander sent down."