KANSAS CITY -- Royals manager Ned Yost said he plans to use outfielder Billy Burns as a late-inning baserunning threat and as a center fielder for days that Lorenzo Cain needs rest.
Burns was recalled from Triple-A Omaha on Saturday and outfielder Jorge Soler was optioned there. Burns appeared in center field in replace of Cain in Sunday's 8-0 loss to the Indians. He had one at-bat and struck out.
Soler had lost the starting job in right field to rookie Jorge Bonifacio.
"We just need to give Soler at-bats to continue his development," Yost said. "He wasn't getting many here."
Burns, a switch-hitter, said he's ready to help in any way he can.
"I'll help by using my legs," Burns said, "or whatever they need."
Royals honor victims
Prior to Sunday's game, the Royals honored the three families affected by the hate-crime shooting last February at Austin's Bar & Grill in Olathe, Kan.
A man shot and killed Srinivas Kuchibhotla and wounded Alok Madasini, both of whom are from India. A Good Samaritan, Ian Grillot, jumped in to help and also was shot -- Grillot is recovering from the wound and was unable to attend.
But Grillot, whose family was in attendance, will be honored later in the season in the Buck O'Neil Legacy Seat.