SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Jon Jay will likely start the season batting leadoff for the Kansas City Royals.
Jay, who signed a one-year deal with the Royals on March 6, has a career .288 batting average and a .339 on-base percentage in 225 games as the leadoff hitter. Whit Merrifield was the Royals' primary leadoff hitter last season. In 115 games from the No. 1 spot, Merrifield hit .269 with a .299 on-base percentage.
"Right now, we're probably inching a little bit more toward Jon Jay," Royals manager Ned Yost said.