Just a week after losing the job, Joakim Soria is close to reclaiming his role as Kansas City's closer. Royals manager Ned Yost said before Sunday's game that one more solid appearance could prompt Soria to regain his former role. Soria hasn't allowed a run in two outings since the demotion. "That's three good innings in a row," Yost said. "I kind of suspect one more good outing like that and we can slip him right back to where he belongs." Soria has pitched three scoreless innings while not allowing a hit or walk, but both appearances have come in the late innings of losses. Now, Yost wants Soria to pitch in a more pressure-filled situation. "His next spot will be in the eighth inning, hopefully with a lead if we can manufacture one," Yost said. "That's the plan anyway. I don't want him going too far without throwing. If it's another two-inning step that we can get him in to, we might do that, too."