Kansas City Royals

major leagues last September. The Tigers signed him as a minor league free agent in the offseason after Minnesota dropped him from its 40-man roster.

Now, Goodrum is Detroit’s primary second baseman after Dixon Machado was designated for assignment July 5. Goodrum was hitting .251 with eight home runs and seven stolen bases through July 8 and compiled a .464 average and two four-hit games during the first seven days of the month.

“I didn’t know that,” Goodrum, 26, said of his hot streak. “The only stats I can see is what they show on the board.”

Machado began the season as the starting second baseman but hit just .206 with one homer in 67 games.

❚ Closer

(shoulder) likely will be ready to be activated from the disabled

Shane Greene

list July 12, the first day he is eligible. He has converted 19 of 22 save opportunities and has a 4.03 ERA in 39 games.

Alcides Escobar’s

streak of 421 consecutive games started, which dated to 2015, ended July 8 when the utility player was not in the lineup against the Boston Red Sox.

“I told him three weeks ago, ‘Look, this is probably going to come to an end somewhere down the road,’” manager

said. “Today is the day I decided to do it. It’s as simple as that. I’ve got other guys I need to play.”

Escobar, 31, was removed as the everyday shortstop last month and started playing other positions.

“I was proud about this streak — 421 straight games,

Yost Ned

Contributing: Wire reports