Cuthbert has seen his playing time greatly reduced, as he's started just three of the team's last 14 games.

EDGE Analysis

The third-year utility infielder appeared in 16 games to start the campaign, but he's recently been phased out of manager Ned Yost's plan. Across the board, Cuthbert's slashing a career-worst .140/.169/.228 through 59 plate appearances, and there's no reason to roster the 24-year-old in the large majority of leagues.

Cuthbert will fill the DH role and bat ninth Thursday afternoon against the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

The backup infielder has seen his playing time cut recently. Cuthbert has played in just one of the team's last six games. At best, he's an extreme punt play for Thursday's early slate.

Cuthbert is off to a .138/.194/.291 start to the season in his first 29 at-bats.

EDGE Analysis

Cuthbert has regressed in 2017 compared to last season, when he hit .274 with 12 home runs and 46 RBI. He has started only seven games this season thanks to the emergence of Raul Mondesi Jr. and Whit Merrifield, as well as the return of Mike Moustakas. Still, Cuthbert has the versatility of playing all infield spots with the exception of shortstop, which adds to his value.

Cuthbert went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's win over Houston.

EDGE Analysis

The third baseman was the lone Royal able to compete with Astros' starter Dallas Keuchel on the night. Cuthbert's two hits and one run was all that Keuchel surrendered over seven dominant innings. An ability to hit left-hander's is what Cuthbert brings to the table, but with a slew of righties on the upcoming schedule, the 24-year-old will likely be out of the starting lineup for a while.

Cuthbert is out of the Royals' Thursday lineup, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cuthbert started against left-hander Hector Santiago on Wednesday but returns to the pine with right-hander Kyle Gibson on the hill. That trend will just about define Cuthbert's role, at least in the early going.

Cuthbert is in the lineup playing third base and batting sixth for Wednesday's game in Minnesota.

EDGE Analysis

With left-hander Hector Santiago on the hill for the Twins, Mike Moustakas will assume the DH role for Brandon Moss and Cuthbert will make his regular-season debut at third.

After being hit by a pitch Sunday, Cuthbert has been active the Royals' Cactus League games since.

EDGE Analysis

Cuthbert has played in two games since getting hit, over which he's gone 2-for-6 with a home run. Once the regular season gets going, he'll be set to provide depth around the infield for Kansas City.

Cuthbert left Sunday's game after being hit by a pitch in the lower back, Rustin Dodd of the Kansas City Star reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Royals are classifying the injury as a lower-back contusion and listing Cuthbert as day-to-day. Cuthbert started the game at second base, but he is expected to fill a utility role if healthy to begin the season with Raul Mondesi serving as the primary option at the keystone. Through 23 Cactus League games, Cuthbert is batting .246 with five extra-base hits and a 6:8 BB:K.

Cuthbert went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI in Wednesday's 6-2 win over the Padres in Cactus League play.

EDGE Analysis

It was the first long ball of the spring for Cuthbert, who took Padres reliever Ryan Buchter deep for a two-run blast in the sixth inning. After serving as the Royals' primary third baseman last season while Mike Moustakas recovered from a torn ACL, Cuthbert is ticketed for a utility role in 2017. While it could allow him to eventually obtain eligibility at second base, first base or even in the outfield, Cuthbert likely won't see enough regular at-bats to warrant draft consideration outside of AL-only leagues.

Cuthbert made his second start of the spring at the keystone Friday and went 0-for-1 with a walk and an RBI.

EDGE Analysis

Through five Cactus League games, Cuthbert's bat has been quiet (1-for-9), but he appears to be in a spring job battle with Raul Mondesi for the starting job at second base. In five starts this spring, Cuthbert has played third base three times in addition to his two appearances at second, but the return of Mike Moustakas from a torn ACL will likely lead him to more time at second base in the coming weeks.