Matt

Tupman

Tupman, who turns 26 this month, hit .263/.355/.334 for Double-A Wichita last season. He shouldn’t be a candidate to replace Paul Phillips as John Buck’s backup.

Tupman, who turns 26 this month, hit .263/.355/.334 for Double-A Wichita last season. He shouldn’t be a candidate to replace Paul Phillips as John Buck’s backup.

The soon-to-be 28-year-old Tupman gets a spot as your run-of-the-mill, defensive-minded third catcher, but the Royals couldn’t find room for Chris Lubanski, the fifth overall pick in the 2003 draft. The Royals are right to be down on Lubanski, but on the off chance they would have lost Tupman, there are a dozen more just like him waiting for phone calls. Lisson is also a long shot to have a career in the majors. Lubanski still has some upside at age 22, and there’s a good chance someone will select him next month, though it’s less likely that he’ll be kept on a major league roster all season.

Tupman, a former Royals farmhand, will turn 30 in November and is nothing more than organizational depth.

Tupman didn’t get a start while John Buck was away from the team.

Tupman will back up Miguel Olivo for the next three days.

Tupman didn’t get into any of the four games while Miguel Olivo was suspended.

Olivo’s return will result in Matt Tupman’s demotion. The Royals will recall a pitcher, but not Joel Peralta. Unless someone goes on the disabled list, Peralta will be ineligible to return until Tuesday.