Ramon Torres

Royals' Ramon Torres filling in for Alex Gordon (hip, neck) on Thursday

Kansas City Royals infielder Ramon Torres is starting on Thursday against the Texas Rangers.

What It Means:

Alex Gordon (hip, neck) was scratched, so Torres will fill in at third base and bat ninth versus Rangers right-hander Austin Bibens-Dirkx in Thursday's series opener. It will be the 25-year-old's first appearance this season.

Torres hit 4 RBI and scored 9 runs in 33 games last season during his first taste of the big leagues.