SURRPISE, Ariz. -- Royals outfielder Jorge Soler didn’t waste any time getting his spring off to a good start on Friday, blasting a two-run homer off Rangers left-hander Kolby Allard to left in the first inning well over the left-field bullpen and nearly out of the facility.

“It’s always fun to watch him [trot] around the bases,” manager Mike Matheny said of Soler, who hit an American League-leading 48 homers last season.