CLEVELAND -- Zack Greinke knows he will be pitching, Miguel Olivo knows he will be catching, Billy Butler knows he'll be at first base.

But Willie Bloomquist? No clue. He could be at shortstop or center field or almost anywhere against the Indians on Thursday night. He played those two positions in the first two games of the series.

Is Bloomquist, a utility player throughout his career, just doing what comes naturally?

"It doesn't come natural, I don't think," he said. "It's something you have to work on and expect the unexpected to some extent and be ready for everything and anything.

"You try to think along with the manager to try and get mentally prepared as well as physically prepared a couple of days in advance. Maybe thinking this guy might need a breather or this guy might need a day off or whatever."

So far Bloomquist has started four games at second base, one at third, 11 at shortstop, five in left field, two in center and nine in right. He's also been a replacement at first base.

"He's very versatile and does a good job wherever he plays," manager Trey Hillman said.

At least, in most games, Bloomquist is in the lineup.

"That's the positive part of it," said Bloomquist. "I've got a manager here that isn't afraid to use me in that capacity, so that's been great for me because I've been in there a significant amount and, whether it be at one position or a bunch of different ones, when you're out there it's great."

So far in his career there's been no catching or pitching, although in an extra-inning marathon last year with Seattle, he came within a whisker of being used on the mound. The Mariners used their backup catcher instead.

How about pulling one of those stunts of playing all nine positions in a game, one in each of nine innings, such as Bert Campaneris once did for the Kansas City A's?

"Maybe the last day of my career," Bloomquist said. "Until then, I don't want anything to be about just me. But the last day of my career, when I'm about to hang 'em up, maybe that might be something I'd do."

So where will he be playing tomorrow?

"I don't know," he said. "Let's just worry about today and worry about tomorrow, tomorrow."

Pitching matchup
KC: RHP Zack Greinke (8-2, 1.55 ERA)
Greinke had his worst start of the season -- and who would deny him this mulligan -- against the Blue Jays last Friday, when he allowed seven runs (five earned) in five innings. Even the outs were often hit hard. Greinke talked about making some adjustments, and you have to believe he'll do it right. He allowed his first two home runs of the season, his first in 111 innings dating back to Sept. 2, 2008, against the Blue Jays. In his own blunt assessment, Greinke said that the homerless streak was fortunate and that there were at least six balls hit against him that could have been home runs. The right-hander has allowed only 71 hits and 13 walks against 91 strikeouts in 87 innings over his 12 starts.

CLE: LHP Jeremy Sowers (1-3, 5.40 ERA)
Sowers was solid against the White Sox on Saturday, going six innings and allowing three runs, two of which were earned, with two walks and five strikeouts. Unlike previous starts, he wasn't undone by the big inning, and he didn't let up in aggressively attacking the strike zone. In his final Minor League option year, Sowers is at an important point in his career in which he must prove he can be consistent at this level. The start against the Sox was a nice step in the right direction.

Crown points
Left-hander Horacio Ramirez's stay with the Royals is over. He's been placed on unconditional-release waivers. Signed to a $1.8 million contract last offseason, he was 0-2 with a 5.96 ERA in 19 games including one start. ... The Royals announced that the Fountain Seats for the Cardinals series June 19-21 will be available at 9 a.m. CT online at royals.com. The tickets cost $10 each and there is a four-ticket limit. Normally the tickets are sold day of game and cost $7. Both the Friday and Saturday games vs. St. Louis are nearing sellout status. Standing-room tickets are available for $10. ... Bloomquist's three stolen bases on Tuesday night gave him 11 steals, just five shy of his career high. He was the first Royals player to have three steals in a game since Joey Gathright on April 8, 2008, against the Yankees. ... Class A Wilmington pitchers extended their scoreless streak to 28 innings on Tuesday night as Everett Teaford (7-1), Kelvin Villa and Juan Abreu combined to beat Salem, 2-0. Teaford went the first seven innings.

Tickets
 Buy tickets now to catch the game in person.

On the Internet
 MLB.TV
 Gameday Audio
•  Gameday
•  Official game notes

On television
• FSKC

On radio
• KCSP 610

Up next
• Friday: Royals (Luke Hochevar, 1-2, 7.85) vs. Reds (Bronson Arroyo 7-4, 5.00), 7:10 p.m. CT
• Saturday: Royals (Kyle Davies, 2-6, 5.13) vs. Reds (Matt Maloney, 0-0, 3.00), 6:10 p.m. CT
• Sunday: Royals (Brian Bannister, 4-3, 4.69) vs. Reds (Johnny Cueto 5-3, 2.43), 1:10 p.m. CT