KANSAS CITY -- The Blue Jays promoted outfielder Ian Parmley from Triple-A Buffalo on Friday and he started in right field, going 0-for-3 with a strikeout in a 5-4 loss to the Royals.
With Steve Pearce (sore right knee) still a bit hobbled, but available for pinch-hitting duties, manager John Gibbons went with Parmley in right field while factoring in the spacious Kauffman Stadium outfield dimensions.
"They took me down in the tunnel [Thursday night] and told me," Parmley said. "I kind of lost it a little bit. It's a dream come true."
Parmley is hitting .289 in 60 games with Buffalo. To make room on the roster, the Blue Jays optioned reliever Cesar Valdez to Triple-A.
Parmley, who has one homer, 20 RBIs and 11 steals for Buffalo, said the last couple of years in Triple-A have enabled him to refine his game both offensively and defensively. He said he feels equally comfortable in center field or right field.
"I have worked really hard on my reads in the outfield," Parmley said. "I've worked with Tim Raines, and he has helped me a lot. I feel like he has taken my baserunning to the next level."
Parmley's parents were able to fly in from the Seattle area to see Parmley's Major League debut.
"We needed another [position player] and Valdez wouldn't have been able to pitch for a couple of days anyway," Gibbons said. "[Parmley's] a good, solid player who can run and throw. It's a good opportunity for him."