Royals’ Lorenzo Cain still waiting to begin rehab stint

Royals center fielder Lorenzo Cain is close to — finally — beginning a rehab assignment in the minor leagues after working through a setback in his recovery from a hamstring strain.

Cain tested his left hamstring with a running workout in the outfield grass Sunday morning at Kauffman Stadium. The test came just five days after he experienced a minor setback, which resulted in him missing the club’s White House trip on Thursday. Royals manager Ned Yost said the team would monitor his progress after the workout. It’s possible he could depart on a rehab assignment as early as Monday.

“It’s just day to day,” Yost said Sunday, opting to keep the timetable vague. “But he’s making definite progress. He had that little setback early in the week. But now he worked hard yesterday, felt pretty good today. No issues.”

Cain has now missed 21 games since suffering a left hamstring strain in an 8-4 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on June 28th at Kauffman Stadium. Entering Sunday, the Royals were 8-12 since the injury.

Rehab assignment for Minor could come soon

Left-hander Mike Minor continues to throw live batting practice at the Royals’ facility in Surprise, Ariz. Barring any setbacks, club officials said Minor could go back out on a rehab assignment soon.

Minor, who signed a two-year deal before the season, has not pitched in a professional game since May 30. He made five minor-league rehab appearances before experiencing shoulder fatigue. Minor is returning from surgery last summer to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder.

This story was originally published July 24, 2016 at 8:33 PM with the headline "Royals’ Lorenzo Cain still waiting to begin rehab stint."