How close is Royals outfielder Alex Rios from returning?
Alex Rios is still at least two weeks away from returning as he recovers from a broken bone in his left hand. The Royals outfielder was given the timetable on Monday after an X-ray showed that his fractured left hand is continuing to heal.
Manager Ned Yost said Rios is expected to begin strengthening exercises to test his hand later this week, according to the Kansas City Star:
"Yost stopped short of declaring Rios in need of a minor-league rehabilitation assignment, a brief sojourn to Omaha or Northwest Arkansas to face live pitching, but indicated that step is a likely part of the process.
"It would probably be beneficial to get some at-bats, but we'll see. I don't know yet," Yost said before Tuesday night's game against the Cleveland Indians."
Rios has been sidelined since April 14 after getting hit by a pitch from Twins right-hander J.R. Graham.
