Manager Trey Hillman hid it for more than a week that Joakim Soria, who saved 42 games in 2008, was hurting.
Hillman used Soria only once in a nine-day period, but said he was OK in that downtime stretch. It turned out he was not. Hillman finally admitted that Soria's right shoulder was aching, but that a MRI revealed no structural damage. Soria was unavailable for the weekend series against the Tigers and could miss the four-game series with the Blue Jays, which begins Monday.
"He played catch today on a flat ground, 30 to 35 throws with nothing on it," Hillman said Sunday. "It was his suggestion."
Hillman acknowledged Soria first felt tightness in his shoulder while warming up April 18 at Texas. Hillman used him for a save situation on April 22 at Cleveland, but the shoulder stiffened up on him the next day, which prompted the Royals to order a MRI.
Soria is on a medication and doing exercises, but has not thrown off the mound since April 22.
The Royals are hoping to avoid putting Soria on the disabled list. Hillman said he would use a closer-by-committee in Soria's absence.
"I've always been of the belief that the more information you put out there, the more it weakens your position, so to speak, especially when it's your closer," Hillman said on why he kept Soria's injury quiet for a week.
Soria is 5-for-5 in save situations this season. He is the only Royal with a save.
TIGERS 3, ROYALS 2: RHP Sidney Ponson gave the Royals a quality start, giving up three runs on six hits, while walking none and striking out seven in eight innings, but took the loss. The offense mustered just four hits and went 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position, while stranding nine runners. C Miguel Olivo struck out in his three at-bats.
