A little over a week after manager Ned Yost said they would not send Mike Moustakas down to the minors, the Kansas City Royals announced today that the struggling third baseman is being optioned to Omaha. Infielder/outfielder Jimmy Paredes will be recalled prior to Friday’s game in Anaheim.

Moustakas, who only made one pinch-hit appearance in the recently completed series with the Chicago White Sox, is hitting just .152 (19-for-125) in 40 games this season.

The 25-year-old Paredes has played in four games with the Royals this season, going 0-for-1 with two runs scored and two stolen bases as a pinch runner.  He is hitting .327 (35-for-107) with 4 doubles, 2 triples, 3 homers and 17 RBI in 26 games with the Storm Chasers.