Kansas City Royals Roster Report 2009-05-02

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.

--LF David DeJesus, who played in only one of the four games against the Blue Jays because of soreness in his lower back, returned to the lineup Friday against the Twins. DeJesus went 2-for-4 with a double and drove in three runs.

--RHP Sidney Ponson had previous success against the Twins, going 11-3 with a 2.69 ERA, but that did not carry over into Friday night. Ponson yielded seven runs on nine hits, including two home runs, in 4 1/3 innings, while striking out one, hitting a batter and walking one. Ponson is 0-4 with a 7.16 ERA in five starts.

--3B Mark Teahen, who hit .300 with three home runs, six doubles, nine RBIs and 11 runs in 22 games, was selected the Royals player of the month for April. Teahen had a .488 slugging percentage and a .391 on-base percentage for the month.

--RHP Zack Greinke, who was 5-0 with a 0.50 ERA in five starts, was the unanimous choice as the pitcher of the month. Greinke threw two complete-games, including a shutout at Texas, while striking out 44 and walking eight in 36 innings.

--RHP Doug Waechter, who is on the disabled list with a strained elbow, is to throw another bullpen session Saturday. If he has no setbacks, Waechter could begin a minor league rehab assignment next week.

--C John Buck became the first Royals catcher to collect two triples in a game since Darrell Porter on June 4, 1978, against the Indians. He is the first big-league catcher to stroke two triples in a game since Ivan Rodriguez on May, 12, 2000, while with the Rangers at Anaheim.

RHP Gil Meche (lower back stiffness) left the April 28 game. He should be able to make his next start May 3.

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, and he will throw another April 30. The Royals hope he will be ready to return to action May 2.

RHP Doug Waechter (right elbow strain) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 18. He threw bullpen sessions April 28 and April 30, but he wasn't ready to start a minor league rehab assignment.

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.