Cain hopes to return before end of the month

KANSAS CITY -- Royals center fielder Lorenzo Cain said he was going about 40 percent in his straight-line running and agility drills on Friday and is feeling much better.

Cain was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Aug. 10 with an oblique strain he sustained in batting practice the day before. He's eligible to return on Sunday, but said there is no official timeline for his return, though he is hoping to be back by the end of the month.

"I'm definitely improving," Cain said. "I didn't feel any pain doing drills and dry swings. It definitely felt great."

Closer Greg Holland, who was hit with a comebacker in the 10th inning on Thursday, had a thigh bruise, but was available Friday night.

Mike Moustakas was absent from the lineup on Friday, but Yost said it was just an off-day for his third baseman who battled a calf strain the last two weeks.