--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.

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