The Royals are considering starting Cuthbert at second base this coming season, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cuthbert was a regular at the hot corner in 2016, when he hit .274/.328/.413 with 12 home runs over 128 games. However, with Mike Moustakas poised to return in 2017, the Royals are entertaining the option of moving Cuthbert to second base. Over the course of spring training, Cuthbert will compete with the likes of Whit Merrifield, Christian Colon, and Raul Mondesi for the starting spot at second.

Cuthbert is spending time at second base in the Arizona Instructional League to give the Royals a better idea if he can play the position in 2017, the Kansas City Star reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Royals' plans for Kendrys Morales, who can opt-out of his deal and become a free agent this offseason, may ultimately determine how much playing time Cuthbert receives next season. If Morales is retained, or if the Royals find a more traditional DH to replace him, Cuthbert could land in a utility role with the return of Mike Moustakas (torn ACL). The keystone is a wide open position in Kansas City as the Royals begin the offseason, with Whit Merrifield, Christian Colon, and Raul Mondesi joining Cuthbert as candidates for the job. Cuthbert hit .274/.318/.413 with 12 homers, 46 RBI, and two steals for Kansas City in 2016, but he finished the season with a 20-for-96 (.208) stretch over the final 30 games.

Cuthbert is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Indians, according to Joel Goldberg of FOX Sports Kansas City.

EDGE Analysis

Cuthbert went 0-for-7 over his last two games, so manager Ned Yost decided to give him his first day off since Sept. 19. Whit Merrifield will man the hot corner Friday in Cuthbert's place.

Cuthbert is not in Thursday's lineup against the A's, Josh Vernier of 610 Sports Radio reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cuthbert has struggled to produce at the plate lately as he's gone just 3-for-24 (.125) over the last seven games. He'll sit out Thursday evening and give way to Christian Colon at the hot corner.

Cuthbert is out of the lineup Saturday against the White Sox, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Christian Colon is starting at third base Saturday and could eat further into Cutherbert's at-bats moving forward, as manager Ned Yost said he's looking to get Colon more involved down the stretch. Cuthbert has posted surprisingly useful numbers throughout the 2016 campaign but he's off to a 4-for-27 start to September (.148/.258/.185).

Cuthbert is out of the lineup Tuesday against the Yankees, Josh Vernier of 610 Sports Radio reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cuthbert has gone just 4-for-18 with six strikeouts over the last four games, so he'll get the night off as Christian Colon gets the nod to start at the hot corner. Look for Cuthbert to return to the lineup Wednesday evening against the Yankees.

Cuthbert, contrary to a previous report, is in Thursday's lineup against the Marlins, Joel Goldberg of Fox Sports Kansas City reports.

EDGE Analysis

It seemed odd that Cuthbert -- who hadn't received a day off since June 30 prior to this week -- was initially slated to be held out of the lineup for a second straight day, but it appears as though the team simply posted the wrong lineup at first. Cuthbert will be back at third base and bat second Thursday against Tom Koehler.

Cuthbert is not in the lineup Thursday against the Marlins, Joel Goldberg of Fox Sports Kansas City reports.

EDGE Analysis

After not getting a day off for nearly two months, Cuthbert will be relegated to bench duty for the second game in a row. He was able to enter Wednesday's tilt as a pinch hitter -- walking in his lone plate appearance -- so it doesn't appear as though there are any injury issues behind the consecutive benchings. Christian Colon will get another start at third base and bat second.

Cuthbert is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Marlins, Joel Goldberg of Fox Sports Kansas City reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cuthbert hasn't received a day off since the end of June, so this appears to be just a well-earned day of rest. Christian Colon will take over at third base Wednesday in his place and bat second against Jose Fernandez.

Cuthbert is third among AL rookies in batting average at .298.

EDGE Analysis

Besides the batting average, the 23-year-old third baseman is in the top 10 of several other offensive categories among AL rookies, including fourth in OPS (.788) and sixth in home runs (10).