6 Billy Hamilton CF

Hamilton is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.

Hamilton will head to the bench for the fourth straight contest, and at this point, it looks safe to conclude that the speedster has surrendered his everyday center-field job to Whit Merrifield. While his plus defense and elite baserunning should allow Hamilton to earn regular work off the bench, the lack of steady at-bats will likely inhibit his ability to consistently rack up stolen bases.

Hamilton is not starting Saturday against the Nationals.

Hamilton will sit out his third consecutive contest. He's been squeezed out of playing time due to the Royals losing the designated hitter during their series in a National League park. Whit Merrifield will draw the start in center field while Jorge Soler will man right field.

Hamilton is out of the lineup for Friday's game at Washington.

Hamilton will sit for the second straight contest after going 5-for-33 with 12 strikeouts in his last 11 games. Whit Merrifield will start in center field while Jorge Soler takes over in right field with the Royals without the services of a designated hitter in a National League park.

Hamilton is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Indians.

Hamilton will head to the bench for the second time in five games and could be subject to more frequent days off while he continues to make a limited impact at the dish. Though the Royals signed Hamilton this offseason knowing he would provide his most impact as a baserunner and defender, the team probably expected better than the career-worst .550 OPS he has delivered thus far. He's shown few signs of turning the corner offensively, as he's supplied a .193/.245/.239 slash line dating back to the beginning of June.

Hamilton is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Blue Jays.

Hamilton will sit for the third time in nine games as Whit Merrifield picks up a start in center field. Over 24 games in June, Hamilton has managed a .205/.262/.256 slash line with five steals, four RBI and four runs. The steals are certainly nice, but his lackluster production in every other category makes it tough to justify keeping Hamilton in weekly lineups in most leagues.

Hamilton is not in Tuesday's lineup against the Indians.

Hamilton is hitting .212 with zero home runs and five steals in 20 games this month. Whit Merrifield will start in center field and lead off.

Hamilton is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Twins.

Hamilton will get a breather for the first time since June 8 as Whit Merrifield fills in for him in center field. While starting in each of the Royals' last 12 games, Hamilton chipped in three steals but batted a lowly .184 with no home runs, two RBI and two runs.

Hamilton went 0-for-1 with two walks and a stolen base in Sunday's 5-2 loss to the White Sox.

Hamilton has struggled at the dish all season long with a subpar .588 OPS, six RBI and 24 runs in 194 plate appearances. His only fantasy appeal is stolen bases, but he's not racking up 50 or more a year like he was earlier in his career. He has just 12 so far in 2019.

Hamilton is not in Saturday's lineup against the White Sox, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Hamilton is 5-for-21 this month and does not have a stolen base over that stretch. Terrance Gore is starting in center field and batting ninth.

Hamilton is not in the lineup for the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Yankees.

Hamilton went 1-for-3 with a run in the first game of the day but will now sit for the third time in four games. Terrance Gore will get the call in center field in his place.

Hamilton remains on the bench for the second half of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Cardinals, Joel Goldberg of FOX Sports Kansas City reports.

It's surprising to see Hamilton sit for both halves of the doubleheader, especially as he's hit .323 over his last nine games, so it's possible he's been dealing with an unreported injury. Whit Merrifield again starts in center field, with Jorge Soler starting in right.

Hamilton is on the bench for the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader with the Cardinals, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

Whit Merrifield will shift over to center field with Hamilton on the bench while Jorge Soler claims Merrifield's typical spot in right field. Given how well he's fared at the plate lately, Hamilton will most likely return to the lineup for the nightcap. Over his last nine games, Hamilton has gone 10-for-31 (.323 average), but has only collected one stolen base in that span.

Hamilton isn't starting Friday's game against the Angels.

Hamilton will head to the bench for the second straight day, as Whit Merrifield draws another start in center field. Hamilton has reached base safely in six of his past seven games, registering two extra-base hits and a stolen base over that stretch.

Hamilton is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rangers.

Hamilton will sit for only the second time in the Royals' 14 games so far in May as manager Ned Yost gives Whit Merrifield a spin in center field. As has been the case throughout his career, Hamilton has provided plenty of value through his defense and baserunning (9-for-13 on steal attempts), but he's remained one of the league's least-productive hitters (.224/.305/.284 slash line in 133 plate appearances).

Hamilton will sit Saturday against the Phillies.

Hamilton is hitting just .213/.295/.278 this season, but he's still managed to provide fantasy owners with nine steals, tied for fourth in the league. Chris Owings gets the start in center field Saturday.

Hamilton (hamstring) is starting in center field and batting ninth Tuesday against the Rays.

As expected, Hamilton has returned to the starting lineup after missing two days due to hamstring tightness. He's 2-for-16 with two extra-base hits and two RBI over his past five games, so he'll aim to get back on track now that he's healthy.

Hamilton (hamstring) is available in an emergency Monday and should be back in the lineup Tuesday against Tampa Bay, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Hamilton left Saturday's game against the Angels with a tight right hamstring and has been out of the lineup for two straight games. He's hitting .216 but has eight steals on the season.

Hamilton (hamstring) is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Rays.

Hamilton was forced to depart early in Saturday's game against the Athletics with a tight hamstring and will hit the bench for the second day in a row while he continues to manage the injury. Chris Owings will pick up another start in center field in Hamilton's stead.

Hamitlon (hamstring) is not in the lineup Sunday against the Angels.

Hamilton exited Saturday's game early with tightness in his right hamstring. He will not return to the lineup Sunday and is replaced by Chris Owings in center field.

Hamilton exited Saturday's game against the Angels due to right hamstring tightness, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

The specifics of the injury remain unclear as Hamilton was replaced in center field by Chris Owings to start the fifth inning.