Right-hander Sidney Ponson is the Royals' No. 4 starter and will throw the first pitch Friday at the newly renovated Kauffman Stadium, but first he'll have to be added to the 40-man big league roster.
Ponson signed a minor league contract with the Royals on March 17 after pitching well for The Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic. He was given a rotation slot when the Royals optioned right-handers Brian Bannister and Luke Hochevar to Class AAA Omaha. The Royals, however, did not have to add Ponson until his turn to start, which permitted them to open the season with another position player. One will have to go before Friday's game.
Outfielder/designated hitter Jose Guillen pulled up lame while running to first base in the ninth inning Thursday at Chicago, but there was no report on how serious the injury could be.
If Guillen's injury is not serious enough to warrant a stint on the disabled list, Brayan Pena is a candidate to be designated for assignment. Pena, who is the third catcher behind Miguel Olivo and John Buck, is out of options. If designated for assignment, he would have to clear waivers before he could be outrighted to Omaha. The Royals also could trade him.
Pena could refuse an outright assignment to Omaha if he clears waivers and is not traded.
ROYALS 2, WHITE SOX 1: Coco Crisp made the defensive play of Thursday's game in the eighth inning, tracking down A.J. Pierzynski's long fly to center. Crisp also came up with the game-winning hit in the ninth, a two-run homer. RHP Kyle Davies pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing three hits. LHP Ron Mahay picked up the victory with a scoreless eighth, and RHP Joakim Soria earned his second save, although he gave up a run in the ninth.
