Vargas, Shields impress Yost in live batting practice

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Newcomer Jason Vargas joined James Shields in sharing the mound on Friday morning for a round of batting practice, and both impressed manager Ned Yost.

"It was a good workday, they threw all their pitches and were in good shape," Yost said.

Each pitcher threw against Mike Moustakas, Eric Hosmer and Justin Maxwell for the equivalent of two innings. The batters all looked at a lot of pitches, swung at and missed a few and hit a few fly balls and grounders.

"Vargas is going to be a big pickup for us, I think," Yost said. "He's a guy that throws strikes, changes speeds, is a great competitor, knows how to pitch. He looked great today, it was impressive to watch him work at 9:30 in the morning."

The Royals reeled through their second full-squad workout with no injuries reported.