George Brett is Royals' interim hitting coach Stuck in an eight-game losing streak, the Kansas City Royals turned to the greatest player in franchise history to turn around their hitting woes. Hall of Famer George Brett, 60, was appointed the club's interim hitting coach Thursday and joined the team in time for their game against the St. Louis Cardinals. Brett takes over for Jack Maloof and Andre David, who have been reassigned to the minor league organization. The Royals, who have won four of their last 23 games, haven't scored more than three runs in their last six games. They rank near the bottom of the league in runs, walks, homers, RBIs and just about every other statistical category. After starting 17-10, the Royals have fallen into last place in the AL Central. The New York Yankees plan to activate Andy Pettitte from the disabled list Monday and start the left-hander that night against the Cleveland Indians. Pettitte, who turns 41 next month, came out of a start against Seattle on May 16 because of a tight left trapezius muscle, near his pitching shoulder. He went on the DL the following day. Pettitte said Thursday that the injury essentially was a back spasm. He threw 76 pitches in a simulated game Tuesday in Florida. The Washington Nationals hope to have injured outfielder Bryce Harper back in the lineup Friday night in Atlanta. Harper sat out for the fourth straight game Thursday with a left knee injury. Minnesota infielder Trevor Plouffe is headed back to the disabled list without even playing a game. Plouffe was activated from the seven-day disabled list Wednesday, but strained his left calf in a workout before the game. The Twins placed him back on the 15-day disabled list Thursday and are recalling Chris Colabello from triple-A Rochester. New York Mets pitcher Jonathon Niese will miss at least one turn in the starting rotation because of a sore shoulder, and shortstop Ruben Tejada will be out at least two weeks with a strained right quadriceps and could lose his starting job. Miami Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton will back off his rehab from a strained hamstring because of sore knees and there is no timetable for his return. Stanton went on the disabled list April 30 after getting hurt a night earlier. Manager Mike Redmond said Thursday that Stanton could continue to play catch and hit, but will not be able to run. Indians first baseman Nick Swisher has donated $25,000 to the FBI Citizens Academy Foundation in support of the FBI's Child ID Kit program.