Whit Merrifield to start majority of games at second base

Royals fans will get their wish as rookie Whit Merrifield will see the majority of action at second base going forward, according to manager Ned Yost. The 27-year old Whit Merrifield has served as a utility player, filling in at third base and left field as well as second base. But after a hot start that has seen him hit .340/.352/.453 in his first 13 games, Yost says he will get the majority of action at second.

"He's going to play a lot of second base," said Yost, who gave Merrifield a routine day off on Thursday. "The majority of the time, he'll play second base."

The move comes after a defensive miscue in the eighth inning of Thursday's game by regular second baseman Omar Infante cost the Royals a run that ultimately led to a 5-4 loss to Cleveland. Infante has had trouble on a number of throws this year, compounding his poor hitting numbers. The 34-year old is hitting .239/.279/.321 in 38 games this year.

Infante is in the third year of a four-year, $30 million deal. He has battled a number of injuries the last few seasons, including to his throwing elbow. Since signing with the Royals in 2014, Omar Infante has hit .238/.269/.328, the worst offensive numbers in baseball over that stretch. Despite the poor hitting, Infante is currently second in All-Star voting at second base.