Moose back in action for Royals
Returns to third base following hamstring strain
KANSAS CITY -- The "Moose" calls were back in full force Sunday as Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas made his first start in a week during a 7-5 loss to the White Sox.
Moustakas had been nursing a hamstring strain and manager Ned Yost took a cautious approach before making the decision that the finale of the White Sox series was the right time for Moustakas to take his place in the field. Moustakas was used as a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning on Saturday and smashed a wicked grounder up the middle that shortstop Alexei Ramirez turned into a double play with a sparkling stop.
Moustakas got to hit in the No. 3 slot in his return as middle-of-the order hitters Eric Hosmer and Lorenzo Cain were given the day off, and homered in the sixth inning.
"Just rest," Yost said. "Just trying to get everybody a little bit of a break. Hos is the last one that hasn't gotten much of a break. He'll have the day and be ready to roll."