NewsGuillen out for year; pitchers also injured
Royals restock bullpen with three arms from Triple-A Omaha
By Dick Kaegel / MLB.com
09/05/09 6:11 PM ET
KANSAS CITY -- Right fielder Jose Guillen is finished for the season, reliever John Bale might be, starters Gil Meche and Brian Bannister will miss their next starts and there are three new pitchers -- Carlos Rosa, Victor Marte and Dusty Hughes -- on the roster.It was a busy Saturday for the Royals.
"After reviewing Jose's situation, we're just going to shut him down for the rest of the year and give him the opportunity to get his body strong and healthy as possible going into Spring Training next year," manager Trey Hillman said.
Guillen missed almost five weeks with a right knee ligament tear and returned to the lineup on Wednesday at Oakland. After going hitless in two at-bats, he was taken out of the game with a sore right hamstring.
"They just don't want to take a chance, and I think that's a smart idea, just try to get this knee ready," Guillen said. "There's no tear in there anymore. Everything is healing, it's just fine. We just don't want to risk anything this year."
Guillen said no surgery was planned, just rest.
He ends his season, his second with the Royals under a three-year $36-million contract, with a .242 average. In 81 games, he had nine home runs, eight doubles and 40 RBIs.
"I'm very disappointed because I want to be there with my teammates. I want to play, but I understand sometimes you've got to make a smart decision. We're not going anywhere right now, and it's a good opportunity to see these young guys, and let them play, and see what they can do on this level," Guillen said. "If we were still in the race, believe me I would fight this and try to get better and get back in there."
The Royals have been using Mitch Maier or Josh Anderson most often in right field.
Bale, a left-hander, suffered a right hamstring strain while making his only pitch in a relief appearance on Friday night against the Angels. Could he also be out for the season?
"He had difficulty walking today, and so knowing how long it takes that big muscle group to heal, I'd say that's a good possibility," Hillman said.
Bale, who underwent thyroid surgery during Spring Training, recovered and pitched 42 times in relief with an 0-1 record and 5.93 ERA.
Meche, who missed Friday night's start against the Angels, will also be replaced by Robinson Tejeda as the starter on Wednesday night against the Detroit Tigers. Tejeda pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings in the Royals' 2-1 loss to the Angels.
Bannister, who left last Wednesday's game at Oakland after 1 1/3 innings, was scratched from his scheduled start on Tuesday night against the Tigers. Left-hander Bruce Chen will take his place.
Both Meche and Bannister underwent medical examinations for right shoulder fatigue on Friday and will be further evaluated, Hillman said.
In other pitching news, Kyle Farnsworth suffered a back injury as he made a throw in Friday night's game.
"Farnsworth is a possibility [to be available on Saturday night] with a tweaked back but with three new arms in, we hesitate to rush him onto the disabled list by forcing the issue," Hillman said.
The three pitchers were rushed to Kansas City from Round Rock, Texas, where they had been playing for Triple-A Omaha. Rosa was 2-8 with a 4.56 ERA and seven saves; Marte was 1-4 with a 2.13 ERA and four saves, and Hughes was 3-3 with a 3.50 ERA in 34 games including 11 starts.
"We'll use Hughes primarily in long situations or as needed, Marte and Rosa in shorter situations," Hillman said.
They represent the first September callups from the Minors, and Hillman said a couple of position players are likely to follow them after Omaha's season ends on Monday.
With the Triple-A pitching staff picked over, the Royals sent shortstop-turned-pitcher Tony Pena Jr. from Class A Burlington, Iowa, to join Omaha.
One more thing: second baseman Alberto Callaspo was out of the Royals' lineup on Saturday night with a bruised ankle.
Dick Kaegel is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
