KANSAS CITY -- With Mike Moustakas' right knee still ailing after he aggravated it on the basepaths on Wednesday, Royals manager Ned Yost opted to give Moustakas a half-day off on Thursday, inserting him as the designated hitter against the Twins.
But Yost was unable to use backup third baseman Cheslor Cuthbert for the second straight day because Cuthbert is dealing with gallbladder issues. Yost said Cuthbert's gallbladder is not inflamed, but Cuthbert is unable to keep down food.
"Every time he tries to eat, he keeps throwing up," Yost said. "He started feeling it in Detroit and it wasn't better today. He'll get some medicine and we'll go from there."
Utility infielder Ramon Torres got the start instead at third base for the opener of a crucial four-game series as the Royals try to gain ground in the American League Wild Card chase.
As for Moustakas, Yost said the knee issue remains about the same.
"It's not as bad as when he first hurt it a couple weeks ago," Yost said. "But he kind of tweaked it again on that [Alcides Escobar] triple [on Wednesday]. He's going to play through it."
Left-hander Danny Duffy (elbow impingement) and right-hander Joakim Soria (oblique strain) both threw on the side the past two days.
"They're progressing," Yost said. "Not much else to report."
There is no timetable for their returns.