PITTSBURGH -- A contrite was back in the Royals’ starting lineup as the designated hitter on Saturday.

Manager Matt Quatraro benched Caglianone for Friday night’s 8-5 loss to the Pirates at PNC Park for disciplinary reasons. Caglianone suffered a cut on his left hand during Thursday night’s loss to the Astros in Houston, when he punched a dugout wall after striking out.

“It was a very selfish and immature move on my part,” Caglianone said pregame on Saturday. “These guys [in the clubhouse] hold me to a higher standard. I hold myself to a higher standard. It’s definitely a learning experience, something that I want to grow from.”

Caglianone is having a fine first full season in the Majors, slashing .277/.328/.483 with 23 home runs and 70 RBIs in 136 games. He ranks second on the team in homers and RBIs behind rookie catcher Carter Jensen, who entered Saturday with 24 and 75.

Caglianone had gone 0-for-10 with one hit in 15 at-bats over his previous seven games, while striking out eight times. The 23-year-old admits he let the frustration get the better of him.

“It just kind of boiled over in Houston,” Caglianone said. "I cut my hand, and fortunately it was nothing too serious. But I was very selfish and immature, and I put the team in a bad spot. That’s something I don’t want to do again.”