The Kansas City Royals announced on Monday that they will select infielder Nicky Lopez from Omaha (AAA) prior to Tuesday’s game vs the Texas Rangers. Right-handed pitcher Jake Newberry was optioned to Triple-A following Sunday’s game. A corresponding 40-man roster move will be announced on Tuesday.
Lopez, 24, was Kansas City’s fifth-round selection in the 2016 First-Year Player Draft. In 31 games with the Storm Chasers this season, he’s batting .353/.457/.500 (41-for-116) with six doubles, a triple, three homers, nine stolen bases and 27 runs scored.
He ranks among the Pacific Coast League leaders in stolen bases (tied for 4th), on-base percentage (5th) and batting average (8th).