Alcides Escobar played hurt because the Royals have a weird bench - MLB

Kansas City has had a weird bench situation all season, including no backup middle infielder currently, which means yesterday starting shortstop Alcides Escobar was in the lineup despite swelling in his knee from being spiked Saturday.

Here’s more on the weirdness, from Andy McCullough of the Kansas City Star:

If Escobar left Saturday’s game, manager Ned Yost floated the idea of utilizing either first baseman Eric Hosmer or reliever Michael Mariot in left field, with Alex Gordon shifting to third base.

Using a reliever in the outfield and using Alex Gordon at a position he hasn’t played since 2010. There are no bonus points in baseball for degree of difficulty, so it sure seems like the Royals should just find another guy capable of playing shortstop and put him on the roster like every other team does every season.

Of course, Escobar went 1-for-4 with a walk Sunday and the Royals won, so what do I know.

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ST. LOUIS — Miles Mikolas is sticking with the St. Louis Cardinals.

The right-hander signed a three-year, $55.75 million contract on Friday that will carry through the 2025 season.

The new deal replaces a $68 million, four-year contract signed in February 2019 that covered the 2020-23 seasons and was set to pay $15.75 million this year.

Mikolas will receive a $5 million signing bonus payable July 1 and will make $18.75 million in 2023 and $16 million in each of the following two seasons. Mikolas can earn a $250,000 bonus for winning a Cy Young Award, $50,000 for All-Star election or selection or winning a Gold Glove, $100,000 for League Championship Series MVP and $150,000 for World Series MVP.

Mikolas is scheduled to make the second opening-day start of his big league career next Thursday when the Cardinals host Toronto. Mikolas went 12-13 with a 3.29 ERA last season while helping St. Louis to the NL Central title.

“Miles stands among the top pitchers in the game today, and has continued to provide a steady presence for us both in the rotation and inside the clubhouse,” St. Louis general manager John Mozeliak said in a statement.

Mikolas is 45-40 with a 3.79 in 143 games with San Diego, Texas and St. Louis. He recently pitched six shutout innings in two appearances for the U.S. in the World Baseball Classic.