"Look for Joakim Soria to revert back to a three-out closer under new manager Ned Yost.

"I don't think I would hesitate to use Soria in a four-out situation," Yost said, "but I don't generally like to do it. I think a closer is at his best when he comes in, gets his work done and goes into the locker room.

"I don't like to see a closer come in, have to get an out, go sit down and then have to go back out and get three more outs."

Problems in the Royals' bullpen often prompted former manager Trey Hillman to expand Soria's role to four or five outs. He pitched more than one inning in four of his 13 appearances this season and in 11 of his last 35 outings dating to last season.

"Closers are a very special breed," Yost said. "Their focus is to get the last three outs. In a lot of other pitchers' minds, those last three outs are horrifying. Why? I don't know.

"What makes good closers good closers is they're not afraid to come in and get those last three outs no matter what the situation is. I think closers are better built for that.

"It doesn't mean I won't use Soria for four outs. In a crucial game or situation, I will. But I want to try to stay away from that as much as I possibly can."

Yost said he also plans to call on Soria whenever a save situation presents itself in the ninth inning.

"I like my closers to get every save that they can get," Yost said. "Common sense rules on that, too, but my experience has always been, as a closer, it's either raining or it's a drought. You're either getting a lot of save opportunities or you're not getting any."