Royals call up prospect from Rosenthal trade
KANSAS CITY -- It didn’t take long for the Royals to want to get a closer look at outfield prospect Edward Olivares, whom they acquired from San Diego for closer Trevor Rosenthal on Saturday.
Olivares, 24, was called up before Thursday's game against the White Sox and was immediately inserted into the lineup as the center fielder, batting sixth. He went 2-for-5 with a double and two runs scored in his debut in the 11-6 loss.
To make room, the Royals designated for assignment left-hander Randy Rosario.
Olivares, the team’s No. 22 prospect per MLB Pipeline, appeared in 13 games for the Padres earlier this season and hit .176 with a .222 on-base percentage, one double and one home run in 34 at-bats.
Royals manager Mike Matheny said Olivares will likely play both center and right field.
“He says his best spot is center field,” Matheny said. “We’re anxious to see him.”
Rosario appeared in four games in 2020 and posted an 8.10 ERA. He was part of a crushing loss at St. Louis on Aug. 26, when the left-hander entered the game with the bases loaded and a 5-2 lead in the ninth but could not retire any of the four hitters he faced in a 6-5 walk-off loss.
Injury updates
• Matheny said catcher Salvador Perez, still sidelined due to a floating particle in his left eye that is blurring his vision, saw another specialist on Thursday. Matheny reports that Perez’s condition is now improving for perhaps the first time since he went on the injured list on Aug. 21.
• Jorge Soler, who was removed from Wednesday’s game because of oblique irritation and mid-back tightness, remains day to day. Matheny said it was encouraging that trainers were able to loosen up the tightness, but Soler was not in the starting lineup on Thursday.
Help from Duffy
Rookie right-hander Brady Singer certainly credits veteran left-hander Danny Duffy with mentoring him this season.
“I love being around him,” Singer said. “He walks into the clubhouse and he brings so much life. He has taught me a lot about the game at this level. And I know Kris [Bubic] feels the same way.”