Royals coach has surgery on broken arm

CLEVELAND (AP) Kansas City Royals first-base coach Rusty Kuntz had surgery on his broken left arm, an injury he sustained when he was hit by a line drive during pregame batting practice.

Kuntz had the operation Wednesday at the Cleveland Clinic. He was struck before Monday's series opener by a ball off the bat of Salvador Perez.

Kuntz was standing behind a protective net in shallow center field when he was hit. Kuntz was able to poke fun at himself afterward, saying it was the first time he had broken a bone.

He was replaced for the past two games at first by coach Mike Jirschele, who is expected to fill in while Kuntz recovers.

The 59-year-old Kuntz is in the third year of his second stint with the Royals. He played in the majors for the White Sox, Twins and Tigers.