Rios, Herrera participate in private workouts

KANSAS CITY -- Right fielder Alex Rios and right-hander Kelvin Herrera, the two Royals who contracted the chickenpox virus, worked out at Kauffman Stadium hours before the rest of the team arrived on Friday, manager Ned Yost said.

Rios did some baseball activities while Herrera threw a light 30-pitch bullpen before the series opener against the White Sox.

Yost said team physicians examined both players. "They [Rios and Herrera] both said they were feeling much better," Yost said.

Yost also said both players still had some chickenpox lesions that had not completely dried up, meaning they still could be contagious. But the lesions apparently were healing well enough that it's possible both players could be back and integrated into the clubhouse by early-to-mid next week.

Once they are cleared to return to the clubhouse mix, it likely would be a day or two before Rios and Herrera would be ready to resume playing again with the team, Yost said.

Moose closer to return
Third baseman Mike Moustakas did not start his fourth straight game because of hamstring soreness.

"He's about 90 percent," Yost said. "We'll give him another day or two -- probably have him ready to go by Sunday."

Moustakas is available to pinch-hit.