Dozier was scratched from the Royals' Cactus League lineup against the Padres on Thursday after taking a ball off the lip during batting practice, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Dozier will be fine, but the Royals wanted to give him a little time for the swelling to go down. Vinnie Pasquantino will move to first base and Jakson Reetz has entered the lineup at designated hitter.

Dozier (illness) will start at third base and bat third in Friday's Cactus League game versus the Athletics.

EDGE Analysis

Dozier was scratched from Wednesday's lineup with an illness, but it was never expected to be a long-term issue. The 31-year-old is expected to be the Royals' primary starter at the hot corner this season. Entering Friday, he's gone 3-for-6 with a home run, a stolen base and two total runs scored across two Cactus League games.

Dozier was scratched from Wednesday's Cactus League lineup against the Rockies due to an apparent illness, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

With Dozier feeling under the weather, the Royals will turn to Nick Loftin to fill in as their starting third baseman. The 31-year-old infielder likely won't miss than a day or two of game action, provided his illness isn't anything too severe.

Dozier will be the primary third baseman for Kansas City to open the 2023 season according to Royals general manager J.J. Picollo, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

"We want [Dozier] to get at-bats," Picollo said. "That's the best place for him to play." The Royals want Bobby Witt to settle in at shortstop, and while Dozier has played in the outfield as well, Kansas City wants the 31-year-old to man the hot corner to begin the 2023 season. He will have to hit better in order to justify staying in the lineup, however, as he hasn't posted an OPS above .750 since his breakout 2019 season.

Dozier is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Guardians.

EDGE Analysis

Dozier went 0-for-5 with a run and a strikeout Saturday and will sit Sunday for the second time in Kansas City's past three games. Edward Olivares will serve as the designated hitter while Ryan O'Hearn starts in right field.

Dozier isn't starting Friday against the Guardians.

EDGE Analysis

Dozier is getting a day off after he went 6-for-14 with a home run, a triple, a double, four RBI, two runs, a walk and three strikeouts over the last four games. Edward Olivares will serve as the designated hitter and bat fifth.

Dozier went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Tuesday's 4-3 extra-inning loss to the Tigers.

EDGE Analysis

Dozier opened the scoring with his second-inning blast. The versatile 31-year-old has found his swing over his last seven games, going 9-for-26 (.346) with two homers, five RBI and a pair of doubles in that span. He's up to a .240/.298/.392 slash line with 12 long balls, 41 RBI, 50 runs scored and four stolen bases through 125 contests this season.

Dozier went 3-for-3 with a double, a walk, two RBI and a run scored in Sunday's 13-12 win over the Mariners.

EDGE Analysis

Dozier produced RBI singles in the second and sixth innings. This was his third multi-hit effort in his last four games, a solid rebound after he went just 3-for-33 in his first 13 contests in September. The utility man is up to a .240/.298/.387 slash line with 39 RBI, 49 runs scored, 11 home runs and four stolen bases through 124 games this year.

Dozier will sit Saturday against the Mariners.

EDGE Analysis

Dozier remains locked into the lineup against lefties, but his playing time against righties is slipping. He's now sat against seven of the last 11 right-handers the Royals have faced.

Dozier went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 5-4 win over the Twins.

EDGE Analysis

Dozier tied the game at 3-3 with his fifth-inning solo shot. It was his first long ball since July 31, snapping a 34-game power drought. During that span, he slashed only .168/.210/.212 with five doubles, two RBI and nine runs scored. Dozier has had another forgettable season with a .234/.292/.380 slash line, 11 homers, 37 RBI, 47 runs scored and four stolen bases through 121 contests. He's still finding regular time in the corner infield and corner outfield spots, though he lacks one clear path to the starting nine on a daily basis, and he's been benched on occasion recently to allow the Royals to evaluate prospects.