KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Ticker) -- The Kansas City Royals gave up on catcher Brian Johnson and righthander Miguel Batista, designating them for assignment today while recalling catcher Jorge Fabregas and righthander Doug Bochtler from the minors.

Johnson had been splitting the catching chores with Gregg Zaun but his .208 average was the lowest on the team. He also had four home runs and 18 RBI in 37 games.

Batista, 29, was 2-6 with a hefty 7.74 ERA in 14 games, including nine starts. In 57 innings, he surrendered 64 hits, including 17 home runs, with 34 walks and 30 strikeouts.

Fabregas will move into Johnson's spot behind the plate after he was summoned from Triple-A Omaha. In 22 games with the Royals earlier this season, the 30-year-old journeyman hit .257 with a double and seven RBI.

Bochtler, who turns 30 next week, is 2-1 with two saves and a 3.79 ERA in 25 relief appearances in the Pacific Coast League. He signed with Kansas City as a free agent in November after stints with San Diego, Detroit and Los Angeles.