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KC Royals designate Colon, O’Brien for assignment

By Mike Courson

Nov 1, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Kansas City Royals pinch hitter Christian Colon (24) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a run against the New York Mets in the 12th inning in game five of the World Series at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Kansas City Royals pinch hitter Christian Colon (24) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a run against the New York Mets in the 12th inning in game five of the World Series at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Even in a limited role, Christian Colon provided some of the biggest moments in KC Royals history. He may be taking those memories elsewhere. The Royals made several moves Wednesday, including designating Colon and Peter O’Brien for assignment.

Colon’s designation does not mean he will be leaving the KC Royals. Within seven days, he will be traded or placed on waivers. But a player of Colon’s ability may well get picked up by another squad.

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Colon played in just 21 games in the 2014 season in which the Royals advanced to their first World Series in 29 years. That postseason began with the instant classic of a Wild Card game against Oakland. Trailing 8-7 in the 12th inning, Colon’s infield single drove in Eric Hosmer to tie the game. Colon stole second and eventually scored the winning run when Salvador Perez snuck a ball by an outstretched Josh Donaldson at third base.

Colon played in 43 games in the 2015 season. His first appearance in that World Series run was even more memorable: in the 12th inning of Game 5, Colon singled a 1-2 pitch to drive in Jarrod Dyson for the game-winning run. His two postseason hits in Kansas City both came in the 12th inning, and both drove in crucial runs.

This past offseason, Colon continued to work his way into the hearts of Royals fans when he and Danny Duffy showed up outside Kauffman Stadium after the unexpected death of Yordano Ventura.

The second base position in Kansas City has seen a number of faces in recent years. Ben Zobrist and Omar Infante played the position in 2015. Colon battled Infante, Whit Merrifield, and Raul Mondesi for playing time last year.

Prior to Wednesday’s move, Colon had played in just seven games for the KC Royals, batting a lousy .176 in just 17 at bats. After an 0-for-7 start to the season, Colon had hit safely in his last three games. His last appearance for the Royals was May 2.

The 27-year-old Colon is a career .263 hitters in 125 games for Kansas City. He played a career-high 54 games last year for the Royals, batting .231 with 13 RBIs.

Peter O’Brien had yet to make a regular-season appearance with the Royals. He played in a team-high 30 Spring Training games for the club and hit a team-high seven home runs to go along with his .296 average.

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Wednesday’s moves included the call ups of pitchers Al Alburquerque and Seth Maness. Pitcher Jakob Junis was optioned to Omaha.

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