Mike Moustakas Injury: Updates on Royals Star's Thumb and Return

Kansas City Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas was placed on the disabled list May 7 with a thumb injury after originally trying to play through the ailment. However, he is expected to return soon after being activated.

Continue for updates.

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Moustakas Removed from DL

Saturday, May 21

FSKC's Joel Goldberg reported the "Royals [activated Moustakas], [optioned] Cheslor Cuthbert to [Triple-A] Omaha."

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Moustakas Begins Rehab Assignment

Wednesday, May 18

Blair Kerkhoff of the Kansas City Star reported Moustakas has reported to Double-A Northwest Arkansas to begin his recovery.

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Moustakas Injury Took Potent Bat Out of Royals Lineup

Moustakas originally missed some time in early May while battling problems with his thumb. He returned to the starting lineup on May 4 but was held out again on May 6 after an off day. That signaled there was probably a bigger issue at hand.

The 27-year-old slugger has tallied seven home runs through 25 games so far this season.

He's coming off a career year in 2015. He recorded career highs with a .284 batting average and 22 home runs along with 82 RBI as he helped lead the Royals to their first World Series title in 30 years.

He proved that he can be a legitimate middle-of-the-order batter and could carry the offense as well.

However, he said there was more work to be done heading into the 2016 season, per Kerkhoff: "I'm going to keep trying to do what I did last year. And get better at it. I'm not going to try and change anything, I just want to continue improving on hitting the ball the other way. That's where I had most of my success last year."

Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.