--RHP Sidney Ponson signed a minor league deal with the Royals, who invited him to their major league spring camp. Ponson, who pitched well for the Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic, might have a shot at making Kansas City's rotation, GM Dayton Moore told the Kansas City Star.

--RHP Julio Pimentel, who was in the Futures All-Star Game last year, left with an elbow injury after throwing a pitch in the eighth inning Friday. He has a non-displaced bone spur fracture and is out for six weeks and possibly the season.

--RHP Zack Greinke allowed five runs on eight hits, including two home runs, in a Friday loss to the Brewers. Greinke's ERA shot up to 7.15.

--RHPs Oscar Villarreal (sore elbow) and Victor Marte (laxity in shoulder) have yet to pitch in a game this spring. Both are non-roster invitees to camp.

--LHP John Bale has gained four pounds since March 3 thyroid surgery. He is throwing 60 feet from flat ground, but there is no timetable yet when he will be allowed to throw off a mound.

--RHP Doug Waechter has not pitched since Feb. 28 because of a finger blister.

--INF/OF Esteban German, whom the Royals released March 9 after he cleared waivers, signed a minor league contract with the Cubs.

BY THE NUMBERS: 0.00 -- Rookie RHP Devon Lowery's ERA in his first four outings with one save.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "He's got to be in there. The heck with who shows up." -- Bench coach John Gibbons, with tongue in cheek, talking about rookie OF Chris Lubanski, who was hitting .438. The regular right fielder, Jose Guillen, was out of camp because he was playing in the WBC and also because of the birth of his child in Miami.