The Royals took a step toward parting ways with struggling second baseman Omar Infante on Wednesday, designating him for assignment and recalling left-handed pitcher Bryan Flynn from Class AAA Omaha.
Infante is owed around $12.5 million through the 2017 season, including a $2 million buyout on an option year in 2018. Unless the Royals can find a trade partner for Infante who would take on all or part of his salary, they would owe the remainder of his contract.
Infante, who hit .239 with 10 extra-base hits in 149 plate appearances this season, hasn’t played since committing a costly error in Cleveland at the beginning of an eight-game losing streak and hasn’t started in the Royals’ last 11 games.