Loftin has recorded a base hit in eight of his last nine games, but the Royals will give him a breather during Thursday's series finale. Josh Rojas will step in to start at third base and bat seventh.

Loftin crushed a solo homer -- his seventh of the campaign -- with two outs in the ninth inning, though no further comeback ensued as the Royals fell at home. Over his past 10 games, the 27-year-old is slashing .282/.349/.564 with six extra-base hits (two homers), six RBI and six runs. Loftin has seen much of his action at third base in place of Maikel Garcia (hamstring), though he manned second base Tuesday in place of Michael Massey (concussion).