The return of second baseman Chris Getz was the first topic brought up this afternoon when Royals’ manager Ned Yost met with the media. Yost said having him back improves their defense as a whole and he can swing the bat very well which is also very nice. It will be good to have him back in the lineup. Yost went on to say that having him and Yuniesky Betancourt platoon the second base role will also be good for the team. That means that whomever of the two is not playing will serve as a solid option off the bench.
Ex-Royal and tonight’s starting pitcher for Milwaukee, Zack Greinke, was brought up next by the media. Yost said he is a very good pitcher. He said he commands his fastball, he has a good slider, an exceptionally good changeup, and he is extremely intelligent out there on the mound. Yost said, however, Greinke throwing against them tonight does not mean it is anything different than a normal game other than they know the pitcher very well. He said it is just another game for both teams and they want a win.
Yost said they are getting closer to getting Sal Perez back, but it will not be anytime extremely soon. He said the thing you have to remember is there are timetables for these injuries they have to follow and there are no repercussions with it. He said Sal is doing very well, but you do not want to rush a guy back and risk further or worse injury. The injured players will continue to work and get better and when they are ready to be back up here they will be. He said hopefully within the next couple of weeks maybe they will see him. Lorenzo Cain will probably be going out on a rehab assignment after Sunday, but they are not sure yet and they will wait and see how he feels. Jonathan Sanchez is throwing the ball better and will probably be back up here fairly soon, but he may have another rehab start down in the minors first. They are just going to wait and see.
