Royals like Butera as backup due to defense

ST. LOUIS -- In the end, the decision to keep backup catcher Drew Butera over Erik Kratz had nothing to do with offense.

Kratz was activated Thursday from the disabled list and then designated for assignment by the Royals, leaving Butera with the job as starter Salvador Perez's rare fill-in.

While Kratz clearly possesses more power, manager Ned Yost had other preferences for that spot.

"We don't need offense from that spot," Yost said. "We just need situational offense -- move runners, bunt, and so on, and Butera can do that.

"It's hard to create any type of offensive flow anyway as the backup catcher playing once every two weeks."

So, Yost and the Royals opted for Butera, who is a less of a drop-off defensively from Perez than Kratz.

Yost thought that might be case when Butera was acquired from the Angels in early May.

"We like his defense," Yost said. "We thought he might be an upgrade defensively and then he showed it. It was a hard decision because they both have good points to their game.

"But we're a team built on defense."