Infante misses 4th straight game with groin injury

CHICAGO -- Omar Infante missed his fourth straight game Thursday night with a strained left groin, but the Royals second baseman is expected to return to the lineup soon.

Infante hasn't played since leaving Sunday's game against the Athletics in the fifth inning.

"He's getting to the point where he's getting ready to play again," manager Ned Yost said before the game with the White Sox. "[Wednesday] he felt really good, [but] still a little tight."

Because of that, the Royals will proceed cautiously, especially considering the cold temperature Thursday at U.S. Cellular Field.

"It's early in the year and we don't want to push," Yost said. "We'll see how he does in his drills today. If he feels good, we'll go here in the next day or so."

Worth noting:

• Closer Greg Holland, who was placed on the disabled list on Saturday with a right pectoral strain, isn't scheduled for any baseball activity until at least the weekend.

"We're going to evaluate him on Saturday and see when he can start to play catch," Yost said.