Escobar’s games streak halted at 421 amid Royals shake-up

Alcides Escobar was not in Kansas City’s lineup Sunday for the first time since 2015, as the struggling club made a plethora of moves.

Escobar had started 421 consecutive games, the longest streak in the majors, before manager Ned Yost benched him against the

Red Sox.

Escobar, 31, was the starting AL shortstop in the 2015 All-star Game and won a Gold Glove that year when the Royals won the World Series. This year he is hitting .194 with 16 extra-base hits in 309 at-bats.

Jakob Junis, who had lost his last seven starts, was scheduled to pitch Sunday, but instead went on the disabled list with back tightness. Heath Fillmyer made his first major league start, taking Junis’ place.

Yost also said veteran right-hander Jason Hammel is being removed from the rotation. Hammel, 2-11 on the season, had allowed 21 earned runs on 28 hits, including five homers, and six walks over 12 innings in losing his last three starts.

Burch Smith, a Rule 5 pick, will start Wednesday in Hammel’s place against the Twins.

Dodgers: Outfielder Yasiel Puig left Sunday’s game against the Angels with a right oblique strain, the Dodgers said.

Puig grabbed his right side after taking a swing during an at-bat in the fifth inning and grimaced in pain. He hunched over and was checked by a trainer before leaving the game.

There was no update available on his condition.

Nationals: A day after his 10-RBI game against the Marlins, Mark Reynolds pitched one-third of an inning Sunday against Miami, retiring the only batter he faced in the ninth.

“Home plate looked a mile away. Just trying not to hit anybody. A little nerve-wracking,” Reynolds said. “But I always wanted to do it. It was a cool experience.”

Brewers: Milwaukee activated center fielder Lorenzo Cain off the 10-day disabled list and placed outfielder Ryan Braun and catcher Manny Pina on the DL as part of eight roster moves.

Right-hander Aaron Wilkerson was optioned to Triple-a Colorado Springs and left-handed reliever Mike Zagurski was designated for assignment. Top pitching prospect Corbin Burnes, catcher Jacob Nottingham and infielder Nate Orf were called up from Triple-a.

Cain returned to the lineup Sunday after being out since June 24. He’s hitting .290 with eight homers and 26 RBIS.

Braun, hitting .235 with 10 homers and 35 RBIS, also was on the DL with back problems in mid-may, missing six games.

Rangers-giants trade: Texas acquired right-handed pitchers Cory Gearrin and Jason Bahr and outfielder Austin Jackson from San Francisco for a player to be named later or cash considerations.