Left-hander John Bale, who broke his pitching hand while reportedly punching a hotel door in Cleveland, won't be throwing for the Royals anytime soon.
"I'm looking at possibly four to six weeks before I can start throwing," Bale said. Add in two or three bullpen sessions, a simulated game or two and a minor league rehab assignment and it appears unlikely Bale will pitch in the majors again before July.
Bale issued a statement to the media, but did not take any questions.
"I would like to apologize first of all to the Royals' organization, my teammates, my coaching staff for my actions," Bale said. "It was uncalled for. It was a moment of frustration. I wish I could do anything I could to take it back, but I can't. I have to try to move on the best as I can and support my teammates and do what I can to keep my arm in shape, which I think I'll be able to do.
"I felt like I let my teammates down. We're right in the thick of things right now. I wish I could be out there on the field with them, fighting with them."
Manager Trey Hillman said he met with Bale for more than 40 minutes Monday.
"He's killing himself right now," Hillman said. "He was sorry and frustrated as he was when he did it. It was unfortunate."
Bale was 0-3 with a 7.63 ERA before going on the disabled list with a fatigued shoulder. He worked strictly as a reliever last season.
"There was a possibility we were going to put Johnny back in the bullpen when he was ready," Hillman said. "With the effectiveness of Luke (Hochevar, who won his past two starts), he was probably going to fit better in the bullpen than the starting rotation. For right now, we're OK (without Bale). But it always affects you when you lose pitching, especially left-handed pitching, the percentages are pretty high that it is going to affect you at some point in time."
ANGELS 4, ROYALS 0: Brett Tomko's best start as a Royal was spoiled by Ervin Santana, who threw a complete-game four-hit shutout. Tomko tossed seven scoreless innings and limited the Angels to two singles before exiting after 96 pitches. Three relief pitchers -- Ramon Ramirez, Jimmy Gobble and Joel Peralta -- gave up four runs in the ninth. The Royals had only one batter advance beyond first base -- Mark Grudzielanek leading off the fourth with a double. But he went no further. Santana struck out nine and walked none.
