"He absolutely can handle it, " Royals manager Ned Yost said of the disappointments.

WSJ: Shields' solid again as Royals lose to Yankees 3-2

"Andy Pettitte threw the ball great, " Royals manager Ned Yost said.

WSJ: Pettitte, Rivera help Yankees beat Royals 3-2

"Kuroda commanded the ball, " Royals manager Ned Yost said.

WSJ: Royals lose 4-2 to Yankees, 6th defeat in 7 games

Amid the team's recent collapse losing 18 of 22 games following a 17-10 start the naming of Brett as the interim hitting coach could quiet fan and local-media outrage, perhaps temporarily silencing calls for the heads of Royals manager Ned Yost and general manager Dayton Moore.

WSJ: Brett Returns as Royals Hitting Coach

Kansas City picked up manager Ned Yost's option for 2013 over a year ago, so he's back and under pressure to guide the Royals at least into contention after the team dealt Wil Myers and a package of other top prospects for James Shields and Wade Davis.

WSJ: Gardenhire, Girardi, Manuel facing the pressure