Worth noting

• Shortstop Alcides Escobar played in a Minor League game on Thursday and is expected to start in one of the split-squad games on Friday.

Escobar has played in only three of the Royals' 21 Cactus League games because of a sore throwing shoulder and an early absence when his wife gave birth to their first child.

• Second baseman Omar Infante is still out with a sore right elbow but is expected to resume swinging and throwing on Friday. He's played in only eight games.