Kansas City, Mo. ? The Royals shook up their coaching staff Thursday in an attempt to jumpstart their failing offense, appointing Dale Sveum as the hitting coach and making Mike Jirschele their third-base coach.

Pedro Grifol, who took over as hitting coach last season, will instruct catchers.

The moves were announced after the Royals finished a disastrous homestand that included a sweep at the hands of Houston and before they opened a four-game series in Toronto.