The Kansas City Royals reinstated Felipe Paulino from the disabled list to start Saturday night's game against the New York Yankees and optioned right-handed reliever Louis Coleman to Triple-A Omaha.

Paulino hasn't pitched this season after spending time on the DL with a strained right forearm. He takes the rotation spot of Luis Mendoza, who has been shuffled to the bullpen.

Paulino is coming off a strong start at Double-A Northwest Arkansas, where he allowed four hits and no runs in 6.1 innings. He threw a side session Wednesday and pronounced himself ready to start against the Yankees.

Paulino (1-0) threw six shutout innings in the Royals 5-1 win Saturday night. He retired 11 straight to start the game and did not allow a ball out of the infield until Raul Ibanez singled with one out in the fifth. Paulino gave up only four hits and walked two while striking out six in his first start of the season.

Coleman allowed four runs on eight hits in 8.2 innings of relief this season.