:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59730247/648823280.jpg.0.jpg)
The Royals have called up infielder Hunter Dozier from Omaha and have placed first baseman Lucas Duda on the 10-day disabled list with plantar fasciitis, according to Josh Vernier.
Dozier, a 2013 first-round pick for the Royals, was hitting .254/.385/.339 with one home run in 143 plate appearances for AAA Omaha. The 26-year old right-handed hitter also had a 29% strike out rate, but is trying to play his first full season since missing much of last year with an oblique injury and a fractured hamate bone in his wrist. Dozier made his MLB debut in 2016, going 4-for-19 in a cup of coffee. Dozier has played primarily third base in his minor league career, but has recently begun playing first base and outfield to improve his positional versatility. He played just 19 innings at Omaha this year.
Duda was hitting .256/.317/.398 with four home runs in 145 plate appearances. He struggled near the end of April, but was on fire in May, hitting .366 with six doubles over 12 games in May. The Royals signed him to a one-year, $3.5 million deal this winter.
Dozier is in the starting lineup tonight against the Rays, hitting ninth.
Royals lineup for tonight’s opener against Tampa.
— 610 Sports Radio- KC (@610SportsKC) May 14, 2018
Join @JoshVernier610 for pregame starting at 5:00 from the 610 Mobile Studio, Gate A in LF inside Kauffman Stadium. #Royals pic.twitter.com/37CZJlvypP