Elliot Johnson (knee) is slated to return to Cactus League action on Tuesday.

Johnson is recovered from his bruised knee, an injury he suffered last Wednesday on a play at second base. He's expected to make the Royals' Opening Day roster as a utilityman.

Elliot Johnson (shin) is still a day or two away from returning to action.

Johnson has been out since suffering a bruised shin Wednesday on a play at second base. The ailment isn't a long-term concern.

Elliot Johnson left Wednesday's game after one inning due to a bruised shin.

Johnson was injured at second base while turning a double play. He's expected to be fine, though. "He's fine, it was more of a precautionary thing," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "He was fighting to stay in the game, but this early, let's get some ice on it."

Royals acquired INF Elliot Johnson from the Rays as the player to be named in the James Shields trade.

Johnson was designated for assignment by the Rays last week. The 28-year-old batted just .242/.304/.350 with six home runs and 33 RBI in 331 plate appearances last season for Tampa Bay and figures to compete for a backup infielder job this spring.

Rays designated SS Elliot Johnson for assignment.

The Rays also designated Reid Brignac for assignment on Tuesday, leaving Yunel Escobar on his own at the top of the shortstop depth chart. Johnson, 28, hit just .242/.304/.350 with six home runs and 33 RBI in 331 plate appearances last season for Tampa Bay.

Elliot Johnson suffered knee and facial abrasions in Friday's loss to the Blue Jays.

Johnson passed a concussion test after colliding with catcher Jeff Mathis, and is being listed as day-to-day. Manager Joe Maddon said Johnson could play Saturday if needed, but the Rays will try to avoid using him as a precautionary measure.

Elliot Johnson had a nice night at the dish on Thursday, going 2-for-4 with a run driven in.

While he won't exactly light the world on fire, Johnson does have some value as a potential middle infielder in deeper mixed leagues. For the season, he's now hitting .270 with four homers and 20 RBI to go along with his 13 stolen bases.

Elliot Johnson hit a two-run homer in Sunday's win over the Marlins.

Johnson's fourth blast of the year came against Anibal Sanchez in the fourth. Johnson is now batting .270/.343/.397 through Tampa's first 60 games, and has stolen nine bases to go along with 16 RBI. There are worse options in exceptionally deep mixed leagues.

Elliot Johnson will likely make the Opening Day roster if Reid Brignac (foot) is placed on the disabled list.

Brignac is currently dealing with a plantar fascia condition in his right foot and Rays manager Joe Maddon confirmed Thursday that the injury "has a chance" to impact his availability for Opening Day. Johnson, who is out of options, would likely function as a backup for Sean Rodriguez if Johnson misses the start of the season.

Elliot Johnson (knee) went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts Thursday in the first of two rehab games for Triple-A Durham.

Despite the poor showing, the anticipation is that Johnson will be activated from the DL Friday, assuming he doesn't suffer a setback. He'll return to a utility role.

Rays manager Joe Maddon said Elliot Johnson (knee) likely won't be ready for activation from the disabled list on Wednesday as originally thought.

Maddon said Friday that it was "realistic" to expect the infielder back Wednesday, but evidently he'll need a few more days. Johnson is wearing a brace on the knee and is still getting used to it. He's also yet to test himself laterally.

Elliot Johnson (knee) ran and fielded ground balls before Friday' game.

Johnson is still getting comfortable with the brace on his knee, and he's yet to test himself laterally, but so far, so good. Rays manager Joe Maddon said it was "realistic" to expect Johnson to be activated from the DL on Wednesday, the first day he's eligible.

Rays manager Joe Maddon expects Elliot Johnson (knee) to be activated from the disabled list on June 8, the first day he's eligible.

Johnson had been getting more playing time before spraining his left knee earlier this week. He's batting .258/.306/.409 with two homers over 66 at-bats this season.

Rays placed INF Elliot Johnson on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 24, with a sprained left knee.

An MRI revealed no structural damage, but Johnson is still having some trouble walking and bending the knee. It's really too bad since he was starting to get more playing time over the past week or so. Look for him to return in a couple weeks.

Rays manager Joe Maddon said Tuesday that there's a "better than 50-50 chance" that Elliot Johnson (knee) will be placed on the disabled list.

Johnson sprained his left knee during Monday's game against the Tigers. The good news is that there is no structural damage, but he's having a problem walking and bending the knee. Sean Rodriguez will fill in at shortstop Tuesday while Reid Brignac is expected to return from the bereavement list Wednesday.

An MRI on Elliot Johnson's left knee revealed only a strain.

We didn't expect to hear anything until Tuesday, but this is certainly welcome news. Now that a tear has been ruled out, it's possible he could avoid a DL-stint. Look for Sean Rodriguez at shortstop Tuesday.

Elliot Johnson was diagnosed with left knee soreness.

Johnson appeared to tweak something on a stolen base attempt in the fifth inning of Monday's game. The severity of the injury is not yet known, but it's probably safe to call him day-to-day right now.

Rays manager Joe Maddon plans to give Elliot Johnson more playing time at shortstop going forward.

Maddon wouldn't call it a platoon with the switch-hitting Johnson and left-handed hitting Reid Brignac. "I don't want to be committed to that. You're going to see more of Elliot. Let's put it that way," Maddon said. "I think he's done a nice job." Brignac is batting just .179/.212/.189 on the year, while Johnson is hitting .260/.327/.420 while includes homers in two straight games. "I wanted to just give them both an opportunity a little bit," Maddon added. "You're going to see them both bounce back and forth a little bit right now."

Elliot Johnson went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Blue Jays.

He also stole a base, his 12th swipe of the spring. Johnson ends spring on a hot note with a .341 average and will serve as a ulilityman for the Rays this season, providing assistance at second, short, third and in the outfield.

Elliot Johnson (quad) went 0-for-1 with two walks in his return to the lineup Tuesday.

Johnson had been sidelined for the past week due to a sore left quadriceps. He's hoping to win a spot as a utility infielder.