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Kansas City Royals News
Current KC Royals headlines
Kansas City Royals spring training box
<strong>Oakland:</strong> a-grounded out for Cust in the 6th. b-struck out for Pennington in the 8th. <strong>Kansas City:</strong> a-grounded out for DeJesus in the 7th. b-tripled for Pina in the 9th. 1-ran for Butler in the 6th. <strong>E: </strong>Oakland - Barton, Green. <strong>DP: </strong>Oakland 1, Kansas City 0. <strong>LOB: </strong>Oakland 10, Kansas City 6. <strong>2B</strong>: Oakland - Cust, Powell, Brown, Barton, Pennington. Kansas City - None. <strong>3B</strong>: Oakland - Sogard. Kansas City – DeJesus, Lough. <strong>HR</strong>: Oakland – Cust. Kansas City – Ankiel, Maier. <strong>SB</strong>: Oakland – Petit, Brown. Kansas City - Dyson.
[From Kansas City Star: Royals]
Royals' day in camp Tuesday
A dramatic comeback by the Royals in the ninth inning Tuesday afternoon — albeit somewhat gift-wrapped — failed to hide the inability by either Robinson Tejeda or Kyle Davies to step forward in their battle for a spot in the rotation. The Royals pulled out an 11-10 victory over an Oakland split-squad at Surprise Stadium by scoring twice in the final inning. The winning run scored with two outs when Oakland first baseman Dallas McPherson failed to corral Vance Wilson’s wind-blown pop-up. It was the only time the Royals led all game.
[From Kansas City Star: Royals]
Kendall says he won't let ‘ridiculous' accusations affect him
SURPRISE, Ariz. | Veteran catcher Jason Kendall returned Tuesday morning to Royals camp and vowed not to let a potentially messy divorce situation affect his play. Kendall appeared Monday in court in Los Angeles in an effort to gain permission to bring his two children to Kansas City during the Royals’ season.
[From Kansas City Star: Royals]
Royals hoping Podsednik can do for them what he's done to them
SURPRISE, Ariz. | It’s no surprise the Royals had veteran outfielder Scott Podsednik near the top of their free-agent wish list in the offseason. Very simply, they wanted Podsednik to do to others what he’s done to them. “He sees a lot of pitches,” manager Trey Hillman said in launching into a litany. “He gets into a two-strike count, and he has the ability, because of his approach and his mechanics, of being able to spoil a nasty pitch to get to the next pitch.
[From Kansas City Star: Royals]
Davies, Tejeda struggle with control
Davies, Tejeda struggle with control
[From Kansas City Royals News]
Colorado's Francis looking for better outing
Royals 11, Athletics 10
Spring Training Capsules
Royals rally late, beat A's
SURPRISE, Ariz. | A dramatic comeback by the Royals in the ninth inning Tuesday afternoon, albeit somewhat gift-wrapped, failed to hide the inability by either Robinson Tejeda or Kyle Davies to step forward in their battle for a spot in the rotation.
[From Kansas City Star: Royals]
Ankiel belts first Royals homer
Ankiel belts first Royals homer
[From Kansas City Royals News]
ROSTER REPORT
The Royals made only one major trade in the offseason, acquiring 2B Chris Getz and 3B Josh Fields from the White Sox, and did not add a reliever to assist a beleaguered bullpen. OFs Rick Ankiel and Scott Podsednik and C Jason Kendall were the major free agent signings. ARRIVALS: CF Rick Ankiel (free agent from Cardinals), LF Scott Podsednik (free agent from White Sox), C Jason Kendall (free agent from Brewers), 2B Chris Getz (trade with White Sox), 3B/OF Josh Fields (trade with White Sox), OF Brian Anderson (free agent from Red Sox), LHP Edgar Osuna (Rule 5 draft pick from Braves), RHP Gaby Hernandez (waiver claim from Red Sox). DEPARTURES: C Miguel Olivo (free agent, signed with Rockies), CF Coco Crisp (free agent, signed with Athletics), DH/1B Mike Jacobs (non-tendered, signed minor league contract with Mets), C John Buck (non-tendered, signed with Blue Jays), INF/OF Mark Teahen (traded to White Sox), RHP Jamey Wright (free agent, signed minor league contract with Indians), LHP John Bale (free agent, signed with Japanese team), LHP Bruce Chen (free agent, unsigned), RHP Doug Waechter (free agent, unsigned). SPRING FOCUS: The Royals will have stiff competition for the final three slots in their rotation and also need to find setup relievers for the seventh and eighth innings. 3B Alex Gordon arrived with high expectations, but a hip injury last year and too many strikeouts have slowed his development. PROJECTED ROTATION: 1. RHP Zack Greinke 2. RHP Gil Meche 3. RHP Luke Hochevar 4. RHP Kyle Davies 5. RHP Brian Bannister Greinke is the ace, coming off a Cy Young season. Meche, if healthy, is a dependable No. 2 starter after being the opening-day starter the previous three years. After that, it's anybody's guess. Hochevar has shown glints of brilliance and then has a penchant of giving up a big inning to ruin what would have been a solid start. Don't be surprised if RHP Robinson Tejeda, who finished the year strong as a starter, sneaks into the top five. PROJECTED BULLPEN: RHP Joakim Soria (closer) RHP Juan Cruz RHP Kyle Farnsworth LHP Edgar Osuna RHP Roman Colon LHP Bruce Chen RHP Bryan Bullington The Royals have one of the best closers around in Soria, but they blew too many save opportunities in the seventh and eighth innings as veterans Farnsworth and Cruz were injured and inconsistent. Farnsworth will be given a chance to start in spring training. Osuna is a Rule 5 pick projected as a future starter but could be used more this year as a reliever. The Royals are sparse on left-handers and Chen, another veteran, could fill a role there. Chen and Bullington are signed to minor league contracts but could break with club. PROJECTED LINEUP: 1. LF Scott Podsednik 2. RF David DeJesus 3. 1B Billy Butler 4. CF Rick Ankiel 5. DH Jose Guillen 6. 3B Alex Gordon 7. SS Yuniesky Betancourt 8. 2B Chris Getz 9. C Jason Kendall Manager Trey Hillman will have fun making out different lineups with this group, and the order is likely to change often. Ankiel could bat second or fifth. Butler is by far the best hitter of this nine. Guillen needs to return to his 2008 form after being slowed by injuries last year. Podsednik and Getz offer the Royals some speed, something they lacked last season. PROJECTED RESERVES: INF/OF Willie Bloomquist C Brayan Pena 3B/OF Josh Fields OF Mitch Maier INF Alberto Callaspo Bloomquist is valuable because he can play anywhere except pitcher or catcher. While Callaspo hit .300 last year, his subpar defense could keep him out of the starting lineup -- but the Royals do need offense. Fields could wrestle the starting third base job away from Gordon. If not, expect him to get ample at-bats in different positions. Pena is a good bat off the bench, while Maier can play any of the outfield spots and is the emergency catcher. If Callaspo and Fields are on the bench, that gives the Royals two strong pinch hitters. TOP ROOKIES: LHP Edgar Osuna, a Rule 5 pick from the Braves, was 3-6 with a 4.33 ERA with Class A Myrtle Beach and 4-4 with a 3.72 ERA with Class AA Mississippi. For the two stops last season, he walked just 35 in 150 innings. He does not have overpowering stuff, so pinpoint command is a must. RHP Aaron Crow was a first-round pick last year, and his signing bonus included a spot on the 40-man big league roster. Crow, a Topeka, Kan., native, went 13-0 in 15 starts in 2008 as a Missouri junior. He was drafted in the first round by the Nationals but did not sign. He went 3-0 with a 1.06 ERA with the independent league Fort Worth Cats last spring before the Royals drafted him. He held out until mid-August, and his only other outings last year were four starts with the Surprise Rafters in the Arizona Fall League, going 0-2 with a 6.00 ERA. He could arrive quickly. MEDICAL WATCH: --3B Alex Gordon (broken right thumb) was hurt March 6. He was expected to miss three to four weeks. --SS Mike Aviles (Tommy John elbow surgery in July 2009) was restricted in throwing when spring training began. --INF/OF Willie Bloomquist (arthroscopic surgery on both knees in October 2009) was limited early in spring training. He made his "B" game debut on March 8. --RHP Zack Greinke (dental problem) missed his Feb. 17 bullpen session, but he wasn't expected to be sidelined long. --RHP Henry Barrera (Tommy John surgery in June 2009) went on the 60-day disabled list March 3. He has never pitched above Class A, but he had been on the Royals' 40-man roster. --INF Jeff Bianchi (sore right elbow) was due to undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery during spring training.
[From FOXSports.com News for Royals]
NOTES, QUOTES
--INF Jeff Bianchi, one of the Royals' top prospects, was due to undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. Bianchi, 23, split last season between high Class A Wilmington and Class AA Northwest Arkansas, hitting a combined .308 with nine homers, 70 RBIs and 22 stolen bases. --3B Alex Gordon is questionable for opening day after breaking his right thumb March 6. He was hurt on a headfirst slide while stealing second base. The team put his timetable for returning at three to four weeks. --RHP Gaby Hernandez was claimed off waivers from the Red Sox. Hernandez went 10-9 with a 5.23 ERA in 26 starts in 2009 for Tacoma, the Mariners' Class AAA affiliate. The Red Sox picked him up off the waiver wire from the Mariners on Feb. 10 but designated Hernandez for assignment. Hernandez arrived Friday but was held out of the workout after having an abscess drained the previous day. He has a 46-45 record with a 4.25 ERA in six minor league seasons. --C Manny Pina was struck in the right biceps by a Neftali Feliz pitch in the eighth inning Friday and was replaced by pinch runner Derrick Robinson. Manager Trey Hillman said Pina suffered a bad bruise. Pina was acquired from the Rangers in a minor league trade last year. --RHP Henry Barrera was placed on the 60-day disabled list as he continues to rehab from June 30 reconstructive elbow surgery. Barrera was limited to four relief appearances last season with Class A Wilmington because of injuries. --3B/OF Josh Fields was held out of the first two spring training games with a bad back. Manager Trey Hillman said Fields took batting practice Thursday and could be able to play in the next day or two. --Manager Trey Hillman liked the one-inning outing of LHP Adam Bostick, although he gave up a hit and a walk and had to work around an error to load the bases with one out. Bostick struck out Vladimir Guerrero and Marcus Lemon to end the inning. "It was great to see Bostick battle back like he did," Hillman said. "He had runners on first and second, he got behind in the count 2-0 and came back and did some good stuff. He had to locate his pitches. He showed the ability to get back in the count. It wasn't as flawless as some of the other guys today, but you like to see that. If a guy can't go out there and take his best stuff right away into an inning, it's good to see him make an adjustment, get the ball back in the zone and make pitches." BY THE NUMBERS: 27 -- Pitches RHP Zack Greinke threw in three scoreless innings against the Rangers in his first spring outing. QUOTE TO NOTE: "I think we'll see a few more." -- Manager Trey Hillman on 1B Billy Butler's first double of the exhibition season Friday. In 2009, Butler had 51 doubles, three shy of the club record set by Hal McRae in 1977.
[From FOXSports.com News for Royals]
INSIDE PITCH
It is unusual for a pitcher to go three innings in his first spring training outing, but Zack Greinke did Friday. He easily could have gone four. Greinke utilized just 27 pitches, 19 for strikes, in three scoreless innings against the Rangers. David Murphy's single on a hanging changeup with two out in the first was the only hit Greinke allowed. "It's more getting up and down than anything," Greinke said in going out for another inning. "It's just not smart." The Royals do not want do anything to jeopardize Greinke's golden arm after he won the American League Cy Young award last year with a major league best 2.16 ERA. Manager Trey Hillman said that despite Greinke's low pitch total, there was no consideration of sending him out for the fourth inning in his first exhibition game. "I hate to say this because you love that efficiency, but from a (standpoint of) stamina and building arm strength, you might want to see a few more pitches than that," Hillman said. "I feel sure we can get him where he needs to be. "He made it look pretty easy for his first outing. He was very efficient. He didn't have any trouble getting through three frames." Greinke spent last spring training perfecting a changeup, throwing it often and in any count, which created an inflated 9.21 ERA. "There were opportunities for them to capitalize, but for the most part it was pretty good for the first outing," Greinke said. "The first outing is usually not good. I probably never had a first good outing before, so that was a little surprising. The changeup was real good." WHERE: Surprise Stadium, Surprise, Ariz. The Royals moved from Haines City, Fla., to Surprise in 2003. When they first moved, town didn't have a movie theater or a decent restaurant, but that has changed in the eight years in this growing suburb northwest of Phoenix. AUTHORITY FIGURES: Manager Trey Hillman is 140-184 in his first two years with the Royals after managing five years in Japan. Hillman's Royals lost 10 more games in 2009 than 2008, which was not a good sign. His unorthodox style sometimes befuddles his players. Respected hitting coach Kevin Seitzer returns for his second season.
[From FOXSports.com News for Royals]
Royals' C Kendall back with team
Royals' Kendall says he won't let 'ridiculous' divorce accusations affect him
Veteran catcher Jason Kendall returned Tuesday morning to Royals' camp and vowed not to let a potentially messy divorce situation affect his play on the field.
[From Kansas City Star: Royals]
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