Royals send O'Hearn to Omaha, recall Bonifacio

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Royals waited about as long as they could with struggling first baseman Ryan O'Hearn and the club finally optioned him to Triple-A Omaha on Friday. Kansas City also recalled outfielder Jorge Bonifacio.

O’Hearn was hitting .188 with six home runs and 18 RBIs.

“Ryan O’Hearn just needs to reset,” manager Ned Yost said. “He’s working his tail off and not getting anywhere. Go down there for a couple weeks, three weeks, whatever it takes to relax a little bit.

“We weren’t getting anywhere. He was getting frustrated. He’s not a .180 hitter.”

Bonifacio had a disappointing start at Omaha, going 1-for-33 to open the season. His overall numbers are still dragging -- slashing .195/.250/.395 -- but eight of his 11 home runs came in the last month.

“It felt like I started 0-for-40,” Bonifacio said. “It was bad. The last month I have felt pretty good at the plate. My [exit] velo was pretty good.

“My timing was off early. I was feeling really good in Spring Training, but then I got to the season, I was off. But it’s been better.”

Bonifacio was all smiles in the Royals' clubhouse.

“I missed these guys,” Bonifacio said. “Two months down there felt like forever.”

But Yost seemed to indicate Bonifacio might not be up for long. Corner infielder Hunter Dozier (thorax) could be activated off the injured list within the next week, meaning Bonifacio could be sent out then.

The Royals will face four straight left-handed starters beginning on Sunday.

“[Bonifacio] is just kind of a backup right now, just protection,” Yost said.