By MIKE FITZPATRICK ~ AP Sports Writer

NEW YORK (AP) – The Kansas City Royals have placed second baseman Chris Getz on the 15-day disabled list with a ribcage injury and called up left-hander Will Smith from Triple-A Omaha.

Royals manager Ned Yost said Smith would provide protection as a long man out of the bullpen Tuesday night against the New York Yankees.

Getz has a bruised left ribcage and strained cartilage between his ribs, making it uncomfortable to breathe at times. He is batting .277 with no homers, eight RBIs and six stolen bases.

Yost said he would be very surprised if Getz is out any longer than 15 days.

Irving Falu was set to start at second base Tuesday against right-hander Phil Hughes. Yost said he plans to platoon Falu with Johnny Giavotella while Getz is sidelined.