OF Jose Guillen is on the 15-day disabled list with a partially torn right hip flexor tear. In his absence, manager Trey Hillman has used Mark Teahen and Willie Bloomquist in right field. Teahen has already started at three different positions -- second, third and right and has been used at first base late in games. Teahen started a game at third when 3B Alex Gordon missed 2 1/2 games with a sore right hip. RHP Sidney Ponson's contract was purchased from Class AAA Omaha, and he is the Royals' No. 4 starter. Manager Trey Hillman used three right fielders and three third basemen in the first week because of the injuries to Guillen and Gordon.
PLAYER NEWS: --C John Buck hit his second career grand slam Tuesday. His other was Aug. 13, 2004, at Oakland. Buck's five RBIs against the Indians equaled his career high. He also drove in five runs on Sept. 13, 2004 against the Yankees. His two-homer game was the fifth of his career and his first since June 16, 2007, against the Marlins.
--3B Alex Gordon, who had not played since the fifth inning Saturday because of a sore right hip, returned to the lineup Tuesday. Gordon struck out swinging in his first three at-bats against Indians RHP Carl Pavano. Gordon saw only 11 pitches in those at-bats, but he did draw a four-pitch walk in the eighth off LHP Rafael Perez. Gordon's average dipped to .111 (2-for-15) although one of his hits was a home run.
--RHP Kyle Davies lost his first three career starts against the Indians, going 0-3 with a 12.17 ERA in 2007, but has won his past two vs. Cleveland. Davies evened his record at 8-8 at Kauffman Stadium. He was 6-4 with a 3.89 ERA in 2008 at Kauffman Stadium.
MEDICAL WATCH:
3B Alex Gordon (sore right hip) left the April 11 game and did not play April 12 or 13. He returned to action April 14.
OF Jose Guillen (torn right hip flexor tendon) went on the 15-day disabled list April 10. He is expected to return as soon as he is eligible.
LHP John Bale (thyroid surgery on March 3) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. When he regains his strength and stamina, he will be activated, but he likely will pitch at least one or two games on a minor league rehab assignment first.
ROTATION:
RHP Gil Meche
RHP Zack Greinke
RHP Kyle Davies
RHP Sidney Ponson
LHP Horacio Ramirez
BULLPEN:
RHP Joakim Soria (closer)
RHP Kyle Farnsworth
LHP Ron Mahay
RHP Juan Cruz
RHP Doug Waechter
RHP Robinson Tejada
RHP Jamey Wright
CATCHERS:
Miguel Olivo
John Buck
Brayan Pena
INFIELDERS:
1B Mike Jacobs
2B Alberto Callaspo
SS Mike Aviles
3B Alex Gordon
INF/OF Willie Bloomquist
INF Tony Pena Jr.
OUTFIELDERS:
LF David DeJesus
CF Coco Crisp
RF Mark Teahen
DH Billy Butler
