KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -Jose Guillen, the high-priced offseason acquisition the Royals had hoped would provide some pop to their woeful offense, was not in the lineup Wednesday night against the Cleveland Indians.
Guillen struck out four times Tuesday, dropping his batting average to .165 with one home run. He’s struck out 22 times in 79 at-bats.
“He’s been through a lot,” Royals manager Trey Hillman said. “Obviously, last night was a difficult night. From a performance level, it is not up to his expectations or our hopes. Sometimes guys need a mental blow.”
Guillen, who signed a three-year, $36 million contract, was among the players cited in the Mitchell Report on performance-enhancing drugs. He was initially suspended 15 days, but was granted amnesty as part of an agreement reached earlier this month between players and owners on a drug testing policy.
“We talked about a couple of things about long-term and what we want for a long season,” Hillman said. “I told him I appreciate your heart and your desire to want to be in 162 ballgames, but we’re probably going to have to mix and match your desires and both our thoughts on that because it is difficult to do.”
In the revamped Royals outfield, Hillman had Joey Gathright in center, shifted David DeJesus from center to left and Mark Teahen from left to right, where he played most of last season.
“It gives us a different outfield look, but not one that I’m nervous about putting out there,” Hillman said. “These guys can go get fly balls.”
Second baseman Mark Grudzielanek also was held out of the lineup because of a stiff lower back. Alberto Collaspo took his place.
“He’s probably not overly joyed with my decision to go ahead and give him a day,” Hillman said. “It’s a problem he’s had occasionally. It flared up in spring training. I don’t want it to turn into something that ends up being a long-term deal like his knee surgery did last year, although he recovered quickly. I think it’s a good time for him, as well, to take a step back.”
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