Royals nearing decision on Butera or Kratz

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Royals are closing in on having to make a decision on their backup catcher.

Erik Kratz's rehab assignment at Triple-A Omaha ends on Tuesday. Kratz is out of options, and so is Drew Butera, who is presently with the club.

Something has to give.

"I guess. I don't know," manager Ned Yost said. "I haven't discussed it with [general manager] Dayton [Moore]. Our options are you bring him back, you trade him, or you DFA him. Same goes for Butera -- keep him here, trade him or DFA him."

Butera has hit just .133 in seven games with Kansas City, but Yost admires his defense -- and that facet of the game is critical in Yost's mind.

"Butera has a tremendous arm with great accuracy," Yost said. "Kratz has a very good arm with good accuracy. Both are very good behind the plate.

Video: DET@KC: Kratz knocks in Royals' first run of the game

"If I were to handicap both of them, I would say Butera is the better defensive player and Kratz is the better offensive player."

Kratz went on the disabled list because of a foot injury. He has hit .229 at Omaha, but he does have four homers and 12 RBIs there.

Butera said he hasn't spent much time thinking about what the Royals will do. And he also isn't sure if he's made enough of an impression.

"Honestly, I have no idea," Butera said. "Tough question for me to answer. I just try to go out there and do the best I can. I'm sure [Kratz] feels the same way.

"We'll just see what happens."