SURPRISE, Ariz.
The lineup card was tacked to the wall of the clubhouse Tuesday afternoon, a full five hours before the Royals were scheduled to take the field against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Surprise Stadium.
For the first time this spring, the order was familiar, the lineup brimming with regulars. It was, in some respects, the latest hint that opening day is less than two weeks away. Royals manager Ned Yost had penciled shortstop Alcides Escobar into the leadoff spot. Escobar was followed by third baseman Mike Moustakas and the expected heart of the Royals’ lineup: Lorenzo Cain, Eric Hosmer, Kendrys Morales, Alex Gordon and Salvador Perez.