Steven Cruz Placed on Paternity Leave by Kansas City Royals

The Kansas City Royals placed pitcher Steven Cruz on the paternity leave list Thursday. Cruz is expected to miss the next 1-to-3 games while welcoming a new baby, with a potential return for Sunday's season finale. He has registered three of the Royals' last four saves, including his eighth of the season on Wednesday. Nate Pearson is a likely candidate to handle save chances during Cruz's absence.