Royals' Escobar placed on 7-day concussion DL

Kansas City Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar was placed on the seven-day concussion list Friday after taking a pitch to the head earlier in the week.

The move is retroactive to April 30.

Escobar, who was also diagnosed with a left cheek contusion, exited Wednesday's game in the fifth inning when he was hit on the side of his face by a 96-mph fastball from Cleveland Indians pitcher Danny Salazar. 

Escobar had hoped to play Thursday against the Detroit Tigers, but was held out of the lineup due to concussion-like symptoms. 

"He's having some difficulty responding when he moves his head quickly up and down," manager Ned Yost told reporters Thursday. "He's doing better than he was (on Wednesday), but he's not ready."

Christian Colon will make his second straight start at shortstop in Escobar's absence.