Boras claims Alvarez, the second overall pick in the draft, did not sign his contract until after the midnight EST deadline on Aug. 15 and is attempting to void the contract. Alvarez refused to report and is reportedly seeking more money.

The Pirates countered that Hosmer, the third overall pick in the draft and also a Boras contract, did not agree to terms until after Alvarez and if the Alvarez contract is invalid, than so is Hosmer's contract.

The commissioner's office told Hosmer he can not play until after a Sept. 10 arbitration hearing on the validity of the two contracts.

"There's not a whole lot we can do about it," Royals' assistant general manager for scouting and player development J.J. Picollo said. "It's a grievance filed by the Players' Association. The commissioner's office has to react the way they see fit. They thought the best thing to do would be to not have Eric play until the validity of his contract is looked at."

Royals general manager Dayton Moore said, "We had an agreement and the terms were submitted in a timely manner. That's the situation, and our guy's being brought into this and we're just dealing with it. I know Eric Hosmer is very pleased with his contract and very pleased to be part of this organization."

Hosmer was 4-for-11 in three games with Idaho Falls.

TIGERS 6, ROYALS 3: Kyle Davies was sailing along through four scoreless innings Friday. In the fifth, shortstop Mike Aviles committed a throwing error and the Tigers went onto score six runs, four unearned. Davies gave up six of his eight hits in the fifth, which he was unable to finish. Mark Teahen homered and Aviles had three hits, but it was not enough to snap the Royals' four-game losing streak.