Kansas City Royals summon pitcher, first baseman from Class AAA Omaha: call-up details

As Brooks Kriske and his wife were making the trip to Kansas City from Omaha on Saturday, they were following the Royals’ comeback triumph over the Angels, capped by a Samad Taylor’s walk-off base hit in his major-league debut.

Kriske, up with the Royals for the first time Sunday, wouldn’t mind a similar heroic moment.

“Hey, I would not be mad about that, but I’m so happy for Samad,” Kriske said.

The right-handed Kriske officially got the call that he was joining the Royals on Sunday morning to replace pitcher Mike Mayers, who was designated for assignment.

It was one of a series of the moves announced Sunday by the Royals. Second baseman Michael Massey was placed on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to June 15) with a hand laceration. Matt Beaty was called up from Omaha.

Both players saw action in the Royals’ 5-2 loss. Kriske pitched the ninth inning and surrendered a solo home run to Jared Walsh. Kriske benefited from the strong arm of his catcher Freddy Fermin, who threw out two trying to steal second base.

Beaty picked up a single as a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning.

Also, Vinnie Pasquantino, who is out for the season after undergoing shoulder surgery, was transferred from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list.

Royals signed Kriske to a minor-league contract after last season. He had pitched in 16 major-league games with the Yankees and Orioles, logging 15 innings since 2020 with 19 strikeouts and 13 walks.

At Omaha this season, Kriske was 0-3 with a 6.00 ERA and five saves in 25 appearances. Over his 125-game minor-league career, he owns a 2.95 ERA. He spent last season with Yokohama in the Japan Central League, where he posted a 3.50 ERA in 32 appearances.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Kriske could have multiple roles in the Royals’ bullpen.

“He can throw one-plus, two innings,” Quatraro said. “He’s gone more than two a couple of times. He’ll be a regular reliever for us.”

The Royals signed Beaty earlier this week. He’s spent his five-year major-league career in the NL West, with the Dodgers, Padres and Giants, and owns a .249 career batting average and a .722 OPS. He’s played first base and outfield most of his career.

Beaty, a left-handed hitter, was in spring training with the Royals but didn’t make the club and was traded to the Giants for cash. In 33 games at Omaha (three games) and Sacramento this season, Beaty was hitting .283 with four home runs and an .856 OPS.