Royals' Alcides Escobar: Batting leadoff Monday

Escobar will start at shortstop and serve as the Royals' leadoff hitter Monday against the Rays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

A day after the anemic Royals offense was one-hit by the Indians, manager Ned Yost has elected to shake up the lineup. Escobar, who had batted ninth the previous three games, will displace Whit Merrifield as the leadoff hitter, but he's shown little evidence this season that he's capable of sparking the team's attack. Escobar is slashing .183/.220/.250 across 110 plate appearances, all of which are career-worst marks.