Alcides Escobar rejoins Royals teammates

Plenty of handshakes and hugs greeted the last Royals player to check into camp, shortstop Alcides Escobar.

Escobar was set to join the Royals as full squad workouts started earlier this week, when his uncle, Faureceo Escobar, died of a heart attack. Alcides had already flown to the United States when he got the word and returned to Venezuela.

“We were always close, really close,” Escobar said. “But I’m happy to be here, to work. I’m ready for the season.”

This story was originally published February 27, 2016 at 3:25 PM.