Following this afternoon's game, the Kansas City Royals announced that they have selected the contract of infielder/outfielder Whit Merrifield from Omaha (AAA). Merrifield, 27, will be in uniform (#15) for tonight's 7:15 p.m. game with the Boston Red Sox. In corresponding roster moves, the club has optioned infielder Christian Colon to Omaha and designated outfielder Jose Martinez for assignment.
Merrifield, a ninth-round selection by the Royals in 2010, is hitting .278 with 11 doubles, five homers and 25 runs scored in his first 36 games with the Storm Chasers this season. He's also leading the Pacific Coast League with 16 stolen bases in 17 attempts, after setting a career-high with 32 thefts in 2015. He won the George Brett Award in 2014 as the organization's top hitter and was also named Omaha's Player of the Year that season.