Notes: Bautista back on the mound
02/28/2006
SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Right-hander Denny Bautista finally was back pitching in a game for the Royals on Tuesday.
Sure, it was just an intrasquad game, and he gave up a two-run homer to Ruben Gotay, but at least Bautista was back. Last year he made just seven starts for the Royals before shoulder tendinitis stopped him. After that came six outings for Triple-A Omaha, then nothing more.
"The thing I look at most is the individual pitchers," said manager Buddy Bell. "And I thought Bautista's arm slot was in a great position. It's something we've talked about earlier. Last year his arm slot dropped a little bit, but his arm is in great position right now, and if he keeps it that way, it's going to be tough to keep him out of the rotation."
Bautista gave up the two-run shot to right by Gotay, whose team won, 3-1, in a 5 1/2-inning game. Gotay went 3-for-3, adding a double and a single.
A year ago, Gotay slammed six home runs in Spring Training and won the second-base job with a .360 average. This year his path is blocked by newcomer Mark Grudzielanek.
"I can do better," said Gotay. "The only thing I might change is [that] I'm trying to hit more line drives rather than lift the ball.
"I know they've got Grudzielanek, but if I'd start with the team, I'd love that. But if you go somewhere else, you've just got to keep working hard."
Left-hander J.P. Howell, suddenly thrust into the middle of the rotation picture because of Zack Greinke's absence, was the other starter. John Buck led off with a home run to left-center field against him.
Howell also gave up a single to Justin Huber, one of Huber's two hits.
Bell left a phone message but had not yet talked to Greinke, who went home to Orlando on Saturday for unspecified reasons.
"We have to move on," said Bell. "Unfortunately, we are all replaceable. In his case right now, we move on. We expect him to be back at some point, but we have some thoughts and we can cover that right now.
"I just hope he can come back and be ready to go."
Eight pitchers worked a scoreless inning each -- Mike MacDougal, Ambiorix Burgos, Adam Bernero, Jimmy Gobble, Bobby Keppel, Steve Stemle, Ryan Baerlocher and Juan Cedeno. The other run came against Brian Bass on back-to-back doubles by Shane Costa and Aaron Guiel.
"It doesn't really matter what kind of game it is," said Bell. "They're all just trying to impress all of us at this point."
Coolbaugh out: Mike Coolbaugh, a non-roster third baseman, suffered a broken left wrist after being hit by a Bautista pitch in the first inning. He is expected to miss six to eight weeks.
"Perfect timing, right?" said Coolbaugh. "I'm wearing a hand guard and an elbow guard, and it just hit right between them."
Coolbaugh's is the first major injury of camp.
Hall of Famer George Brett also took a hit when a foul ball banged into his thigh while he was in the dugout. He's bruised but OK.
Simulated game: The Royals will play a simulated game at 11:15 p.m. MT on Wednesday. Scott Elarton, Mike Wood, Runelvys Hernandez and Joe Mays are scheduled to pitch.
The Cactus League season will begin at 1 p.m. MT on Thursday, against the Texas Rangers.
Source: http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/
SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Right-hander Denny Bautista finally was back pitching in a game for the Royals on Tuesday.
Sure, it was just an intrasquad game, and he gave up a two-run homer to Ruben Gotay, but at least Bautista was back. Last year he made just seven starts for the Royals before shoulder tendinitis stopped him. After that came six outings for Triple-A Omaha, then nothing more.
"The thing I look at most is the individual pitchers," said manager Buddy Bell. "And I thought Bautista's arm slot was in a great position. It's something we've talked about earlier. Last year his arm slot dropped a little bit, but his arm is in great position right now, and if he keeps it that way, it's going to be tough to keep him out of the rotation."
Bautista gave up the two-run shot to right by Gotay, whose team won, 3-1, in a 5 1/2-inning game. Gotay went 3-for-3, adding a double and a single.
A year ago, Gotay slammed six home runs in Spring Training and won the second-base job with a .360 average. This year his path is blocked by newcomer Mark Grudzielanek.
"I can do better," said Gotay. "The only thing I might change is [that] I'm trying to hit more line drives rather than lift the ball.
"I know they've got Grudzielanek, but if I'd start with the team, I'd love that. But if you go somewhere else, you've just got to keep working hard."
Left-hander J.P. Howell, suddenly thrust into the middle of the rotation picture because of Zack Greinke's absence, was the other starter. John Buck led off with a home run to left-center field against him.
Howell also gave up a single to Justin Huber, one of Huber's two hits.
Bell left a phone message but had not yet talked to Greinke, who went home to Orlando on Saturday for unspecified reasons.
"We have to move on," said Bell. "Unfortunately, we are all replaceable. In his case right now, we move on. We expect him to be back at some point, but we have some thoughts and we can cover that right now.
"I just hope he can come back and be ready to go."
Eight pitchers worked a scoreless inning each -- Mike MacDougal, Ambiorix Burgos, Adam Bernero, Jimmy Gobble, Bobby Keppel, Steve Stemle, Ryan Baerlocher and Juan Cedeno. The other run came against Brian Bass on back-to-back doubles by Shane Costa and Aaron Guiel.
"It doesn't really matter what kind of game it is," said Bell. "They're all just trying to impress all of us at this point."
Coolbaugh out: Mike Coolbaugh, a non-roster third baseman, suffered a broken left wrist after being hit by a Bautista pitch in the first inning. He is expected to miss six to eight weeks.
"Perfect timing, right?" said Coolbaugh. "I'm wearing a hand guard and an elbow guard, and it just hit right between them."
Coolbaugh's is the first major injury of camp.
Hall of Famer George Brett also took a hit when a foul ball banged into his thigh while he was in the dugout. He's bruised but OK.
Simulated game: The Royals will play a simulated game at 11:15 p.m. MT on Wednesday. Scott Elarton, Mike Wood, Runelvys Hernandez and Joe Mays are scheduled to pitch.
The Cactus League season will begin at 1 p.m. MT on Thursday, against the Texas Rangers.
Source: http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/
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