Royals Claim Quintin Berry Off Waivers; Salvador Perez, Kelvin Herrera Return

May 10, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (13) during batting practice before a game against the New York Yankees at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

The Royals made a number of roster moves on Tuesday afternoon. Catcher Salvador Perez returned from bereavement leave and returned to the lineup.

To make room on the active roster, Adam Moore was optioned back to Omaha. Moore had three hits and a walk in the five games he appeared in while Perez was tending to family after the death of his grandmother. Perez’s return also puts George Kottaras on the bench. He struggled, striking out 13 times in 23 plate appearances but did have a big hit in Texas (and won a cow milking contest).

The Royals also recalled Kelvin Herrera from Omaha. Herrera had been in Triple A working back into form after a rough start at the big league level. Herrera gave up eight homers in 20.1 innings in Kansas City, but in 4.2 innings in Omaha, only gave up two hits – one single and one double. He struck out a batter in all five appearances.

Heading back to Omaha is Louis Coleman, who filled in admirably with 4.1 scoreless innings in the majors. If there’s an injury to a reliever or another demotion, Coleman should be the first pitcher back up and in the bullpen. Meanwhile, J.C. Gutierrez gave up the go-ahead homer on Sunday to Jurickson Profar of the Rangers and has a 4.41 ERA with a below average strikeout rate. I wasn’t sure why he was added to the 40 man roster back in November, but that decision has left Coleman as the odd man out since he has options and Gutierrez has to be cleared through waivers to go back to the minors.

Quintin Berry was designated for assignment by the Detroit Tigers and the Royals claimed him off waivers and optioned him to Omaha. The 28-year-old outfielder is mostly a speed guy, but hit .258/.330/.354 last year for the Tigers. He was only hitting .168/.278/.234 for Triple A Toledo. The Storm Chasers have been using Johnny Giavotella and Anthony Seratelli in the outfield lately, so Berry adds some depth. He could potentially be a speed option if Jarrod Dyson‘s ankle recovery has any setbacks, but there’s probably not much to see here.

To make room on the 40 man roster, Danny Duffy shifted from the 15 day disabled list to the 60 day.

Duffy has been in Northwest Arkansas rehabbing after Tommy John surgery. Moving him from the 15 day to the 60 day is nothing more than a procedural move. On opening day, the Royals didn’t have a full 40 man roster so they didn’t need to move Duffy for the roster spot. After bringing up Moore and claiming Berry, though, they did need a roster spot, so the move was made. It doesn’t mean that his recall time is adjusted in any way. He was placed on the 15 day DL in March and his 60 days started counting at that point.