Royals left fielder Alex Gordon is back in the leadoff spot

Royals manager Ned Yost tinkered with his lineup for the second straight day Thursday, sliding left fielder Alex Gordon back into the leadoff role.

The move came one day after Kendrys Morales took over the No. 3 spot after center fielder Lorenzo Cain went on the disabled list because of a hamstring injury. Gordon batted leadoff while second baseman Whit Merrifield took over the two-hole.

The move could be temporary. Yost said he wanted to maximize Gordon’s on-base percentage skills in the leadoff spot while utilizing Merrifield’s situational hitting ability in the two spot.

“Gordy can take a walk,” Yost said. “Whit can do more things in the two hole. We’re just trying something.”

Gordon has had success in the leadoff spot in the past, hitting 119 games in the position during the 2013 season. He momentarily occupied the role last September before Yost moved shortstop Alcides Escobar back atop the lineup for the postseason.

Escobar held the role for most of this season before giving way to Merrifield earlier in June.

Medlen makes second rehab start at Omaha

Right-hander Kris Medlen was slated to make his second rehab start at Class AAA Omaha on Thursday night.

Medlen allowed one unearned run in 4  2/3 innings in his first rehab outing against Nashville. He struck out five while issuing one walk. Thursday’s start will mark his fourth total rehab outing after appearing in two games at Class AA Northwest Arkansas.

Braves sign Infante to a minor-league deal

The Atlanta Braves signed former Royals second baseman Omar Infante to a minor-league contract Thursday. The news was first reported by Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball.

Infante was designated for assignment by the Royals on June 15 as his offensive and defensive production lagged.

“I’m glad to see him get another shot,” Yost said.

This story was originally published June 30, 2016 at 5:35 PM with the headline "Royals left fielder Alex Gordon is back in the leadoff spot."