Just when it looked like the KC Royals and manager Ned Yost were going to let the week play out before ending the positional battles in camp, the team announced cuts on Sunday.

Second baseman Johnny Giavotella, who had been struggling on offense and is known to be a slow starter, was sent to Triple-A Omaha. The Royals have decided that Gio needs more seasoning and they would rather go with the better defensive duo of Chris Getz and Yuniesky Betancourt. Problem is, the Royals now need to find a two-hole hitter in their lineup.

Here is what Yost had to say regarding the trio:

“I told Getzie this morning,” Yost said, “that when he showed up to camp, I saw no way for him to make our club. But he came in as a totally different offensive player.

“And quite frankly, I thought Yuni would be serviceable at second base, but I didn’t think he’d be near as good as he’s been. We had two guys who, actually, showed up who were better options defensively.”

“He didn’t hit (in spring training) over the course of 44 at-bats,” Yost said, “but that’s not a (reliable) sample. Johnny can hit. Johnny was two or three days away from hitting .350. The issue was the defense.”

Speedy outfielder Jarrod Dyson, who looked to be a favorite to win a backup outfielder spot, was also sent to Omaha. Dyson was hurt by the fact that the Royals acquired another speedy outfielder, Jason Bourgeois, from the Houston Astros earlier in the week. The Royals would like for Dyson to limit the amount of fly balls he hits.

Pitcher Vin Mazzaro was also assigned to Omaha.

Others who were sent out to minor league camp were catcher Cody Clark, infielders Irving Falu and Tony Abreu, and pitcher Zach Miner.

The Royals traded outfielder Greg Golson to the Chicago White Sox for cash considerations and he will be assigned to Triple-A Charlotte.

*The Royals now have 37 players in camp, but that includes injured catchers Salvador Perez and Manny Pina and injured pitchers Joakim Soria and Blake Wood.