--C Miguel Olivo, who had been handed a five-game suspension for a skirmish with the Mets late last season, got a small reprieve Thursday. The suspension was reduced to four games.
--OF Jose Guillen was awaiting word of a possible elimination of his season-opening suspension. Guillen faces a 15-day ban for allegedly purchasing HGH and steroids, but Major League Baseball and the players association reportedly were discussing a deal that would wipe out the penalty.
--LHP Mike Maroth's bid for a spot on the Royals' roster ended Thursday when he was reassigned to the team's minor league camp. Maroth pitched Thursday against the Rangers, allowing five runs in three innings, bumping his spring ERA to 9.00. He was slowed in camp by a shoulder injury.
--OF Damon Hollins, a star in the Royals camp after returning to the United States from the Japanese major leagues, was reassigned to Kansas City's minor league camp. Hollins hit .340 this spring.
--RHP Ramon Ramirez was acquired Wednesday from the Rockies for a player to be named. Royals manager Trey Hillman said Ramirez would make the Opening Day roster and be used in the late innings out of the bullpen. Ramirez had allowed seven hits and struck out 13 in 12 2/3 innings in spring training, but he landed on the disabled list twice last year with elbow problems.
--OF/1B Justin Huber was traded Wednesday to the Padres for a player to be named. Huber hit .346 in 15 exhibition games, but he was out of options. There was no room with the Royals for Huber, who won the 2005 Texas League batting title.
--LHP Jorge De La Rosa was designated for assignment Wednesday. De La Rosa was 8-12 with a 5.82 ERA in 26 games, including 23 starts, last season, but the hard-throwing lefty continues to be plagued by command and control issues. He walked eight in 12 1/3 innings this spring, and he compiled an 8.03 ERA.
--RHP Kyle Davies, another rotation candidate, was optioned to Class AAA Omaha, where the Royals want him to work more on repeating his new delivery. He allowed five runs (four earned) in nine innings this spring.
--LHP John Bale and RHP Brett Tomko were named the Royals' No. 4 and 5 starters after the game Wednesday. Bale was used strictly in relief last year. In four starts this spring, he has a 4.91 ERA. Tomko, signed in January with the hopes he would win a rotation slot, is 2-1 with a 7.23 ERA in five Cactus League starts.
--RHP Hideo Nomo has been set back by a strained groin, suffered pitching Tuesday night against the Padres. Manager Trey Hillman was uncertain if he'll be ready for Opening Day.
--CF David DeJesus has not played since Monday, when he sprained his ankle coming out of the box in the first inning against the Dodgers. He is not scheduled to play Thursday, either.
BY THE NUMBERS 11 -- Stolen bases by Joey Gathright in spring training through March 26.
QUOTE TO NOTE "They knew I could pitch or at least throw the ball. They had to teach me how to do everything else," -- LHP Ron Mahay on moving from the outfield to the mound early in his career.
Copyright (C) 2008 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
IMO this would be a great addition on the field....... a patient power hitter that gets on base what???? that sounds like a freaking unicorn or the Lochness monster or bigfoot does that really
I was doing some musing at work today, and I'm wondering what is going to happen against Detroit? We have arguably 2 of our best 3 pitchers going in this series in Zach Greinke and Gil Meche, and one outstanding rookie in Luke Hochevar. I got e
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If things keep up the way that they are going, it looks like we have two legitimate all-star qualifiers in Grienke and Soria. None of the hitters seems like he wants to be an All-Star so far.
I'm not judging here. Think on it ok? TJ is approaching 100 at bats. Say he's hitting 0.160 after 100 at bats. That's not very good in my opinion for a major leaguer at any position. That may be just me. I have nothing against the guy. That's 16 hits in 100 at bats. Do the Royals want a SS that bats 0.200? So if TJ gets 500 at bats this yea
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Just a day after scoring 9 runs against the Angels, the Royals go back to being the weak hitting team they have been all season. They are swinging at bad pitches early in the count. Sure Cabrera had his stuff working last night, but they didn't make him work either. He didnt
I know alot of people are frustrated with the offensive performance of this team, but in spite of a couple of guys having dissapointing seasons, this team has one 5 more games than they did last year up to this point. On May 8th 2007, they were 10-22. We are 15-18. The team has also been much more competitive in general on a night in and night out basis than last year. It i
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I am so utterly pissed about the lack of production and seemingly lack of focus. He has the most strikeouts on the team by a good margin and i wouldn't be surprised if he has left the most runners on base. I remember the last time we signed a big time power hitter for a little extra pop in the lineup and he of course was the infamous Juan Gonzalez. He honestly looked like an A-Ba
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is it just me or does this guy just not kill you.... i know he has only had three starts but i would like to see some improvement over those three games and there hasn't been any... with him i think when it rains it poors.... i feel good about our rotation but perhaps mahay or someone else could take his place... i know i know it's early but everytime he is on th
Indeed they are making progress Studgm, with that thought in mind whats you're guys thoughts on how Trey Hillman has done as manager? Lets grade him on the first month of ball, its not to early... as for me i give him a B. They are playing better defence we need more timely hitting. the bullpen has been very good. So far I like the way he has handled the young players all tho i think its time to p
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