Back tightness no concern for Davis, Royals

KANSAS CITY -- Royals reliever Wade Davis isn't worried by the lingering tightness in his back. Manager Ned Yost isn't worried, either.

"It's not serious," Yost said.

Still, the Royals are being extra cautious with Davis, arguably one of the game's top two or three relievers. With an 11 1/2 game lead in the American League Central, there is no need for the Royals and Yost to rush Davis back.

"He felt much better yesterday," Yost said Monday. "But generally if you start injuring knees and backs, and you come back too soon, it starts altering your mechanics and that can create problems we don't need right now. We've got time.

"He just needs to get the stiffness out of there."

Davis said after Sunday's game that he probably rushed coming back when he pitched in Toronto on Aug. 1. He then wasn't able to pitch again until last Thursday.

"Looking back, I probably shouldn't have pitched in Toronto because it probably tweaked it some more," Davis said. "But I really wanted to pitch. It's tough not to."

Medlen a future starter?

Yost remains committed to Jeremy Guthrie as the No. 5 starter, but the manager said Monday he would like to see Kris Medlen get a start sometime before the season ends.

Medlen threw 3 2/3 innings of no-hit relief on Sunday.

"Starting is what he's done best, so yes, we'd like to see that," Yost said.