Royals Christian Colon Optioned, Call Up Whit Merrifield

In a flurry of moves, the Royals have demoted former first-round pick Christian Colon, promoted Whit Merrifield from Triple-A, and designated Jose Martinez for assignment.

The Royals have won three straight games for the first time since April 12-14 and have won back-to-back series for the first time since April 19-24, following a 3-2 win over the Red Sox this afternoon.

They celebrated being back above .500 by sending Christian Colon down to Triple-A, adding Whit Merrifield to the 40-man roster and subsequently being called up to Kansas City, and designating Jose Martinez for assignment.

The moves come in between games for today’s double-header, making up for Monday’s rainout.

Jose Martinez being DFA isn’t a surprise. He probably shouldn’t have been on the 40-man to begin with.

However, Colon being sent down is a bit of a head-scratcher, especially with Merrifield being his replacement.

The Royals will have a 26-man roster all day today for the double-header, which includes prospect RHP Alec Mills, and the double-header may be part of the reason Colon was sent down.

On that note, the Royals are high on Merrifield, and with Martinez being an obvious DFA candidate, this might have just been an opportunity to get Merrifield on the 40-man.

It also might (might) be an indication that an Omar Infante DFA is in the near future.

Over his last seven games (and since Ned Yost has said he would get Colon more at-bats), Colon has hit .318.

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Him and Merrifield could (potentially) platoon at second base in the event of an Infante DFA, as well as Merrifield being able to split time in the outfield as well.

Thus far in 2016, Merrifield is hitting .278, with five homers, and an .800 OPS.