Complicating the Royals' roster situation is the fact that C Miguel Olivo will begin the season with a four-game suspension, leaving the team with a roster of 24 players, not 25.

ROTATION:

1. RHP Gil Meche

2. RHP Brian Bannister

3. RHP Zack Greinke

4. LHP John Bale

5. RHP Brett Tomko

In Greinke's final Arizona tune-up Sunday, he held the White Sox to two runs and four hits in six innings while striking out six and walking one. There's no doubt that Greinke has the stuff to be an ace. If he fulfills his promise this year, the Royals will have a potent 1-2-3 with Meche, Bannister and Greinke.

Bale was last a starter in 2004 in Japan, but he reported to spring training 25 pounds lighter and nailed down the fourth rotation slot. Tomko, signed by the Royals in January, won the fifth spot.

BULLPEN:

RHP Joakim Soria (closer)

LHP Ron Mahay

RHP Yasuhiko Yabuta

LHP Jimmy Gobble

RHP Joel Peralta

RHP Leo Nunez

RHP Ramon Ramirez

Soria is not your typical hard-throwing closer -- he has four pitches and logged 17 saves as a rookie. Mahay and Yabuta have not looked good in spring training but are signed to multi-year deals. This is Yabuta's introduction to the majors after pitching 12 years in Japan. Gobble is a dependable southpaw.

The Royals have to determine on whether they are going to keep Nunez and/or De La Rosa in the bullpen. Both are out of options. Nunez is just 24, and scouts from other clubs say there is no way the Royals could sneak him through waivers. If there is a trade or a release, that could open a bullpen spot for RHP Hideo Nomo.

LINEUP:

1. CF David DeJesus

2. 2B Mark Grudzielanek

3. 3B Alex Gordon

4. RF Jose Guillen

5. LF Mark Teahen

6. DH Billy Butler

7. 1B Ross Gload

8. C John Buck

9. SS Tony Pena Jr.

Gordon hit just .247 as a rookie and struck out 137 times while hitting lower in the order, but manager Trey Hillman has liked what he has seen of Gordon in March, enough to insert him into the third hole. That spot was held for many years by another Royals third baseman, Hall of Famer George Brett.

Butler is the club's best hitter, but he lacks speed on the bases. Hillman also wants to go left-right with the first eight spots in the lineup. Guillen, who had 23 HRs and 99 RBI last season for the Mariners, is the only major addition to the lineup. DeJesus needs to hike his .260 average in 2007 to be a sufficient leadoff hitter.

RESERVES:

OF Joey Gathright

INF Albert Callaspo

INF Esteban German

C Matt Tupman

Gathright is a speed-burner and had nine stolen bases in spring training through March 23 after stealing just nine last year in the majors. Assuming Guillen has to serve his 15-day suspension at the start of the season, Gathright could start. That would also open a roster spot for OF-1B Justin Huber, who is out of options, for a while.

Tupman will likely be up for only five games, until C Miguel Olivo's suspension is over. Callaspo has always hit in the minors and could get more than 300 at-bats this season.

ROOKIE WATCH: RHP Yasuhiko Yabuta is 34 and a 12-year Japan League veteran, but he is a rookie in the major leagues. He will have a valuable bullpen role. If anyone in the rotation falters or is injured, RHP Luke Hochevar, the first selection in the 2006 draft, could be called up from Class AAA Omaha.

MEDICAL WATCH:

RHP Luke Hudson (shoulder surgery in June 2007) did not pitch in a spring training game and had a minor setback in mid-March. He will start the season on the disabled list.

RHP Hideo Nomo (strained groin) was hurt March 25. Manager Trey Hillman was uncertain if he'll be ready for Opening Day.

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