Isbel went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Orioles.

EDGE Analysis

Isbel has seen steady time in center field, starting five of the first six games this season, though he's routinely hit at the bottom of the order. The outfielder's steal Wednesday was his first of the season. He's hitting .278 with one home run, one RBI and one double over 18 plate appearances. Isbel offers only modest speed -- he had 18 steals over 225 major-league contests over the previous three seasons.

Isbel is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Orioles.

EDGE Analysis

Isbel started the first four games of the season but will hit the bench Tuesday with southpaw Cole Irvin pitching for Baltimore. Garrett Hampson will start in center field and bat seventh.

Isbel went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a double in Sunday's 11-0 win over the Twins.

EDGE Analysis

Isbel had started the season quietly prior to his big Sunday. He was one of five Royals to slug a homer in the contest. He's started all three games in center field to begin the season, though he's also hit at the bottom of the batting order. The Royals have yet to face a left-handed starter, so it's still unclear if Isbel will be a full-time starter or just a platoon player.

Isbel is positioned to begin the season as the Royals' starting center fielder after Drew Waters was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Friday, which was reported by Anne Rogers of MLB.com.

EDGE Analysis

Isbel was the favorite for the job early in camp, and he had a strong showing during spring training with a .344/.417/.500 slash line in 36 plate appearances. The 27-year-old played in 91 contests last year but struggled to a .662 OPS, and his hold on the job could wane quickly this season if he repeats that performance.

The Royals believe Isbel is their best option in center field, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Isbel has graded out as an elite defensive center fielder the last two seasons, which looks to give him a leg up over Drew Waters even as he hasn't hit much. Waters is viewed as a quality defender himself but has played as much right field as center field. The left-handed hitting Isbel appears to be the favorite to at least start against righties, with Waters representing an option versus lefties.

Isbel went 3-for-4 with one double, two RBI and two runs scored in Friday's win over the Yankees.

EDGE Analysis

Isbel was the ninth of 10 consecutive Kansas City batters to reach base to begin the game, belting a bases-loaded double that drove in two runs. The three hits mark just the second time this season Isbel has recorded more than two hits in a game. He enters the final two games of the season slashing .240/.282/.366 with five homers, 34 RBI, 45 runs and seven steals in 91 games and 292 at-bats.

Isbel is out of the lineup Sunday against the Astros.

EDGE Analysis

Isbel went 1-for-4 with an RBI single and a run scored in the Royals' defeat of Houston on Saturday, but he'll ride the pine in Sunday's series finale. Nelson Velazquez, Drew Waters and Dairon Blanco are starting across the outfield.

Isbel is out of the lineup Friday against the Astros.

EDGE Analysis

MJ Melendez, Drew Waters and Nelson Velazquez will start across the outfield for Kansas City. Isbel has shown a bit more life at the plate in recent weeks, but he is batting just .232/.272/.380 across 81 total major-league games this year.

Isbel is out of the lineup for the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader versus the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

The Royals are going with Drew Water is center field against Dylan Cease. Isbel figures to be back in the lineup for the second game of the double dip.

Isbel will be on the bench for Saturday's game against the Blue Jays, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.

EDGE Analysis

Isbel recently missed five games with a tight hamstring but returned to start both Wednesday and Friday, going a combined 1-for-6 with two walks and four strikeouts. He'll retreat to the bench Saturday, with Drew Waters taking over in center field.