TORONTO -- Ben Zobrist was held without a hit as he made his Kansas City Royals' debut in left field against the Blue Jays on Thursday night.
Zobrist, batting .264 with six homers and 33 RBIs, went 0-for-4 in Kansas City's 5-2 loss.
Manager Ned Yost said the versatile Zobrist will be used primarily in left field but will also play right and second base.
Outfielder Paulo Orlando was optioned to Triple-A Omaha to make room for Zobrist, who was acquired from Oakland on Tuesday.
Yost said the Royals decided to demote Orlando and keep Cheslor Cuthbert on the roster because Cuthbert has played well at third base, a position Zobrist has not played frequently. Cuthbert also hits right-handed, and the Royals are due to face multiple left-handed starters in the next few days.
First-base coach Rusty Kuntz gave up jersey No. 18 to Zobrist. Kuntz will wear No. 81.