Greinke in Arizona
Suprise, AZ – Zack Greinke, the 2009 American League Cy Young award winner, is not resting on his laurels.
Greinke, who led the majors with a 2.16 earned run average while posting a 16-8 record, was among the early arrivals Friday as the Kansas City Royals opened spring training with a mini-camp.
While it was labeled a volunteer camp pitchers and catchers are not scheduled to report until Wednesday Greinke’s attendance sent a message. The Royals are trying to get a head start after finishing last in the American League Central for the fifth time in the past six seasons.
Greinke was not the only high profile Royal to show up. Closer Joakim Soria, a 2008 All-Star who has logged 72 saves the past two seasons, and first baseman Billy Butler, who led the team with a .301 average, 51 doubles and 93 RBIs in 2009, also were in camp.
t three seasons, as his second game starter.
Who will fill in the remaining rotation slots will be answered in spring training. The candidates include Luke Hochevar, the first overall pick in the 2006 draft; Brian
Bannister, Kyle Davies and Robinson Tejeda.Davies, Bannister and Meche all ended the season on the disabled list with right shoulder ailments.
“All the guys we had that finished last year on the DL are projected to be healthy,” Hillman said. “We won’t baby them, but we will monitor them closely because they did finish on the DL. We’ve got to build them up. We’ve got to build everybody’s innings up.”
Tejeda took advantage of the injuries to go 3-1 with a 2.84 ERA in six September starts, after going 1-1 with a 4.07 ERA in 29 relief appearances.
“I’m not counting Robby out,” Hillman said. “I thought he did an outstanding job. We’re going into spring training to build his innings up,”
Kyle Farnsworth, who has been exclusively a reliever since making five starts in 2000 with the Chicago Cubs, will enter camp as a rotation candidate. So will Rule 5 draft pick Edgar Osuna, the only left-hander in the group.
“We’ve got what we’ve got and it’s mostly from the right side,” Hillman said. “I’d love to have two or three lefties in there.”
t-day camp arrivals. Gordon, who was limited to 49 games after having hip surgery in April, will have competition at third base this spring from Josh Fields.
“I would put Gordon’s name probably at the top of the list,” Hillman said. “He’s coming off major surgery. I know he came back last year. I know he’s a great worker and everybody is waiting for him to breakout so to speak. But I’m not going to discount Josh Fields’ ability and count him out of the mix there either.”
Fields and second baseman Chris Getz, who were acquired in an off-season trade with the Chicago White Sox for Mark Teahen, and outfielder Brian Anderson, a free agent sign, were among the new Royals in for the beginning of the mini-camp.
Also in camp were David DeJesus, who is being moved from left field to right field, utility player Willie Bloomquist, outfielder Mitch Maier, shortstop Mike Aviles, who had elbow surgery last July, and right-handers Bannister and Hochevar.
There were 19 positions players taking batting practice on two fields and in the cages. Hitting coach Kevin Seitzer was among coaches throwing to the hitters.
Bill Fischer, a Royals pitching coordinator, watched intently as pitchers threw off the mound and offered sage advice. Fischer pitched nine years in the majors, 1956-64, and had been coaching ever since.
How many spring trainings for Fischer?
“Quite a few, since 1948,” he replied.
essional baseball.
This is the first pro spring training for left-hander Noel Arugelles, a Cuban defector who turned 20 last month.
Posted: 2/13/10 8:51PM ET