Joakim Soria is inching his way back toward reclaiming his closer’s role.
Royals manager Ned Yost said Sunday he has been impressed with Soria, who has pitched two scoreless outings since his demotion last week. “He’s had three knockout innings … another one or two (good outings) and he’ll be ready to move back in,” Yost said. “I’m not sure he’s not ready right now … but I want to give him (at least) one more.”
Yost pointed to Soria’s scoreless eighth inning on Saturday as a sign of his resilience – a good thing, considering he lost the job after blowing three saves in a week.
“He got four outs easy, yesterday,” Yost said. “They made an error behind him and he came back and got the next guy to hit an easy ground ball.”
Provided all goes to plan – and yes, Soria still has to continue to pitch well – it would bring an end to rookie Aaron Crow’s tenure as closer, even though Crow hasn’t gotten a save opportunity yet.
“It would be nice (to get Crow a save),” Yost said.
Royals manager Ned Yost said Sunday he has been impressed with Soria, who has pitched two scoreless outings since his demotion last week. “He’s had three knockout innings … another one or two (good outings) and he’ll be ready to move back in,” Yost said. “I’m not sure he’s not ready right now … but I want to give him (at least) one more.”
Yost pointed to Soria’s scoreless eighth inning on Saturday as a sign of his resilience – a good thing, considering he lost the job after blowing three saves in a week.
Provided all goes to plan – and yes, Soria still has to continue to pitch well – it would bring an end to rookie Aaron Crow’s tenure as closer, even though Crow hasn’t gotten a save opportunity yet.
“It would be nice (to get Crow a save),” Yost said.