central intelligence

In order to get more RBI punch in the lineup, Royals manager Ned Yost moved leadoff hitter Alex Gordon to the third slot last week, and promoted Alcides Escobar to the top spot. "The most important two spots in the order should be manned by Alex and [Billy] Butler, three and four," Yost said. "Everyone else is interchangeable."

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As if things weren't going well enough in Cleveland, with a streak of 10 victories in 11 games entering the weekend, the Indians get their starting center fielder back this weekend. Michael Bourn, who signed a four-year, $48 million contract in February, badly cut his right index finger while sliding into first base April 14. He had two homers in the season's first 10 games.

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When John Danks returns from a shoulder injury, the White Sox will have four lefthanders to go with righty Jake Peavy in their rotation. But Hector Santiago told the Sun-Times that it won't be a problem. "[Chris] Sale is a slider guy, I'm a changeup guy, [Jose] Quintana is a cutter guy and Danks, I've heard ... he's locating his fastball. It's a different day every day."

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Gordon

Denard Span reminded the Tigers last week why they were glad Minnesota traded him, collecting a single, double and triple in a two-game series in Washington against Detroit. "I have always hated facing him," catcher Alex Avila said of Span, who owns a .344 lifetime average against the Tigers.