Royals’ Soler likely to begin season on the DL

Outfielder Jorge Soler probably will begin his first season with Kansas City on the disabled list after straining his oblique in a minorleague game.

Soler, acquired from the Cubs in December for closer Wade Davis, hurt himself on a swing Sunday. Soler went for a MRI exam Monday, and manager Ned Yost acknowledged Soler was expected to be out of action when the Royals open next Monday at Minnesota.

Soler missed nearly two months last season with a pulled left hamstring. He was sidelined for three weeks in 2015 with a left oblique injury, plus another month with a sprained ankle.

Yost also said Raul Mondesi will open the season as the starting second baseman. Mondesi won the job over Whit Merrifield, Christian Colon and Cheslor Cuthbert. Blanco released: The Arizona Republic reported that former Giants outfielder Gregor Blanco was released by the Diamondbacks, but the team would like to re-sign Blanco, who had an oblique injury in spring training. Briefly: Former Giants reliever Joe Nathan and fellow right-hander Matt Albers were released by Washington . ... Kevin Gausman will start the opener for Baltimore after manager Buck Showalter ruled right-hander Chris Tillman out because of a sore right shoulder. The team also released outfielder Michael Bourn and infielder Chris Johnson . ... The Red Sox indicated that righty reliever Tyler Thornburg, obtained in an offseason trade with the Brewers, will start the season on the disabled list . ... The Dodgers agreed to a minor-league deal with free-agent right-hander Justin Masterson, according to Fan Rag. Manager Dave Roberts told reporters that Hyun-jin Ryu, who missed much of the past two seasons with arm injuries, had made the starting rotation. Lefty Scott Kazmir will open the season on the disabled list . ... The Phillies released catchers Bryan Holaday and Ryan Hanigan.