KANSAS CITY -- The Royals, who already put Alex Gordon and Mike Moustakas on the disabled list in the last four days, also will be without designated hitter Kendrys Morales for three or four days because of a sprained middle finger in his right hand.
Morales injured the finger while hitting in Tuesday's game against the Twins.
"He's had that problem before," Royals manager Ned Yost said Thursday before the series opener vs. the White Sox was postponed due to the threat of severe weather. "It's the middle finger up near the knuckle. It was an awkward swing and I saw it as soon as he did it. It's really swollen."
Yost indicated outfielder Brett Eibner was called up specifically to fill in for Morales for now. Eibner was hitting .309 with a .948 OPS at Triple-A Omaha.
"We needed a bat," Yost said. "And he's been swinging really well."
Young getting close
Right-hander Chris Young, on the disabled list because of a strained forearm, threw a simulated game of about 20 pitches before the rains came at Kauffman Stadium on Thursday.
"He's getting really close," Yost said. "Those 20 pitches were like the Chris Young of old. He was very good."
Yost said Young could be activated by the weekend.