Royals' infield in limbo with potential loss of Infante to groin injury
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Royals second baseman Omar Infante exited Sunday's game in the fifth inning with a left groin strain. He will be re-evaluated on Monday.
Royals manager Ned Yost said he wasn't sure the severity of Infante's injury yet but speculated it would be worse than Alcides Escobar's knee injury. Escobar missed Saturday and Sunday's games but could return Monday after a mild left knee sprain Friday night.
Infante led off the fifth inning with a double to the left-center-field gap. Then, on Erik Kratz's grounder to the pitcher, Infante hesitated at second before retreating to the base. He was removed before the next at-bat.
Yost, who was ejected in Sunday's first inning, said he had not talked to Infante about the injury and was not entirely sure if the Royals would make a roster move for more infield depth.
"If I'm sitting here and betting, I would bet yes, we're probably going to have to make a move," Yost said.
Orlando Calixte, called up Saturday as infield insurance because of Escobar's injury, pinch-ran for Infante and stayed in the game at shortstop. Christian Colon moved from shortstop to second base.
If Escobar and Infante are not ready to play Monday, Calixte would likely earn his first career major league start.
You can follow Matthew DeFranks on Twitter at @MDeFranks or email him at matthew.defranks@gmail.com.
