Shane

Costa

Costa was hitting .314 with six doubles in 51 at-bats since being recalled last month, but with Mike Sweeney and Reggie Sanders healthy, there weren’t going to be at-bats available for him. It won’t be long before he gets another shot.

Costa should have been in Triple-A from the start of the year, though the Royals are actually managing to downgrade by going back to Kerry Robinson. Costa hit .248/.280/.384 in 125 at-bats.

Costa, who has been out since April 28, went 3-for-8 in two minor league rehab games. The Royals are expected to send Justin Huber down to make room for Costa on the roster. With David DeJesus (hamstring) out, Costa should receive plenty of at-bats in center field.

Costa is going to receive fewer at-bats now that David DeJesus is back, but manager Buddy Bell should play him over Emil Brown at least a couple of times a week. Also, Reggie Sanders will get at least a day off per week. It was Sanders’ place in which Costa started tonight.

Costa will rejoin the Royals in September, but he’s probably not going to be worth using in AL-only leagues unless Reggie Sanders gets traded or Mike Sweeney is forced back to the DL.

Costa is starting in center field and batting leadoff tonight. He’ll be an everyday player until David DeJesus returns, so he has some value in AL-only leagues.

Costa also singled twice and was picked off first base tonight. He’s played pretty well since being called up from Double-A Wichita, but he’s not playing regularly enough to warrant a claim.

Five other Royals had two hits apiece but the Royals still lost 11-8.

Like rushing more prospects up from Double-A is what the Royals need. Costa, a 23-year-old corner outfielder, was hitting just .275/.340/.435 for Wichita. He’s probably not going to be more than a long-term reserve, and the Royals aren’t doing him any good by calling him up now. Since he’ll probably get a chance to start against some right-handers, AL-only leaguers should watch him.

Costa still figures to return to the minors at some point. He’s probably a year away from being ready to handle a reserve role in the majors.