Giavotella Back Up - BUT FOR HOW LONG????

Just call him I-29. Johnny Giavotella didn't take the highway between Omaha and Kansas City (did he take a Lear Jet to Seattle?) but Johnny has been yo-yo-ing between AAA and the big leagues this year, and will begin his second stint in the Show this year tonight with Omar Infante sidelined due to lower back inflammation. Pitcher Michael Mariot was optioned to AAA Omaha.

I've been up and down the I-29 so much they should rename it the GIO-9! Lol.. What a crazy life I live!

— Johnny Giavotella (@Gio2bKC) April 12, 2014

Giavotella was 1-3 with an RBI in his last stint in Kansas City this year. The infielder was hitting .352/.410/.484 with 1 HR 13 RBI and 9 doubles in 24 games with AAA Omaha. In 608 career Major League plate appearances over the last four seasons, Gio has hit a disappointing .241/.278/.335 with 3 HR 41 RBI.

Infante is day-to-day and hopes to return Monday, his back issues are not expected to land him on the disabled list. Danny Valencia played second base, and the club does not seem comfortable playing him there more than once. Omar Infante is not a spring chicken, and Gio has been dabbling at third some. It would make some sense to try to keep him on the roster as a utility infielder, especially with Mike Moustakas struggling against left-handers (and right-handers too!) And hey, Yost thinks Gio is apparently good enough to hit in front of Moustakas - is he not good enough to be on the roster ahead of Moustakas?