Race for second base in Royals camp expected to continue into final weeks of spring training

SURPRISE, Ariz. – The names Chris Getz and Johnny Giavotella appear right next to each other on an alphabetical listing of the Kansas City Royals who are still in spring training camp.

Call it fitting, because their race for the second baseman's job is just that close.

Getz is the steady defensive stalwart who hits for average and not much else, and who's held down the starting job most of the past two years. Giavotella is considered the second baseman of the future if he can just figure out how to play good defense at the keystone position.

Both of them have played well in spring training, and manager Ned Yost says he likely won't decide on his starting second baseman until just before opening day.