KANSAS CITY -- Right-hander Kris Medlen's road back to the Royals' active roster has hit a speed bump. Manager Ned Yost said Medlen will be on a no-throw program for the immediate future after follow-up tests confirmed that Medlen has a right shoulder strain.
"He'll be shut down probably for a couple of weeks and let that heal up," Yost said.
Medlen was on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha after suffering right rotator cuff inflammation that landed him on the disabled list on May 12. He left Tuesday's game after throwing a breaking ball on his 49th pitch and returned to Kansas City for testing.
In six Major League starts this year, Medlen had gone 1-3 with a 7.77 ERA.
The Royals did get some positive news on the injury front Thursday when Kendrys Morales (stiff back) took some indoor swings in the cage and felt good enough to take his place in the lineup for the opener of the Seattle series. Morales was the designated hitter and Yost penciled him in at No. 3 in the order.