With RHP Joakim Soria nursing a sore shoulder, the Royals have a big vacancy at the end of their bullpen. While manager Trey Hillman said he would use a closer-by-committee while Soria heals, RHP Juan Cruz, who is 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA in seven appearances, could be the first option. C Brayan Pena was designated for assignment when RF Jose Guillen came off the disabled list. He was deemed expendable as the third catcher.
PLAYER NEWS: --2B Alberto Callaspo went 0-for-3 and walked, snapping his 10-game hitting streak, the longest by a Royal this season. Callaspo went 16-for-36 in the streak.
--RHP Gil Meche left with two out in the fourth with lower back stiffness. He will be evaluated further Thursday. His next scheduled start is Sunday at Minnesota, but that is in question.
--DH Jose Guillen popped up foul to the catcher to leave the bases full in the third. The Royals are 0-for-7 with two out and the bases loaded this season.
--RHP Joakim Soria, the Royals' All-Star closer, threw a bullpen session, the first time he has thrown off the mound since a save April 22 in Cleveland. Soria, who is 5-for-5 in save situations, is out with a sore right shoulder but has not been placed on the disabled list.
--RHP Doug Waechter, on the 15-day disabled list with a lateral strain in his right elbow, threw in the bullpen. Waechter had a 4.50 ERA in three relief appearances before the injury.
MEDICAL WATCH:
RHP Gil Meche (lower back stiffness) left the April 28 game. He will be evaluated April 29.
RHP Joakim Soria (sore right shoulder) was injured warming up on April 18 and hadn't pitched since April 22. He threw a bullpen session April 28.
RHP Doug Waechter (right elbow strain) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 18. He threw a bullpen session April 28.
3B Alex Gordon (torn cartilage in right hip) went on the 15-day disabled list April 15. He had surgery April 16 and could be out until the All-Star break.
LHP John Bale (thyroid surgery on March 3) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He pitched in extended spring training on April 22, and he might soon begin a minor league rehab assignment.
ROTATION:
RHP Gil Meche
RHP Zack Greinke
RHP Kyle Davies
RHP Sidney Ponson
RHP Brian Bannister
BULLPEN:
RHP Joakim Soria (closer)
RHP Kyle Farnsworth
LHP Ron Mahay
RHP Juan Cruz
LHP Horacio Ramirez
RHP Robinson Tejada
RHP Jamey Wright
CATCHERS:
Miguel Olivo
John Buck
INFIELDERS:
1B Mike Jacobs
2B Alberto Callaspo
SS Mike Aviles
3B Mark Teahen
INF Tony Pena Jr.
OUTFIELDERS:
LF David DeJesus
CF Coco Crisp
RF Jose Guillen
OF Mitch Maier
DH Billy Butler
OF/INF Willie Bloomquist
