NewsRoyals deciding on Thursday's starter
If Hughes, Davies can't go, 'pen pitchers may be an option
By Dick Kaegel / MLB.com
09/21/09 7:10 PM ET
KANSAS CITY -- There's still an open spot in the Royals' rotation for Thursday night against the Red Sox.Left-hander Dusty Hughes would be there if he had not exited his previous start with a left elbow problem in the fifth inning on Saturday night in Chicago. Now, according to manager Trey Hillman, he's "doubtful" for the assignment and so is right-hander Kyle Davies, who missed that start because of a strained oblique muscle.
Hughes said he'll throw on Tuesday to test his elbow.
"It hasn't bothered me, and hopefully, it'll be good," Hughes said. "It all depends on how I feel when I play catch."
Because Hughes missed the entire 2006 season while he rehabbed from Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery, he wasn't about to take any chances when what was termed a nerve irritation surfaced in his left elbow against the White Sox.
"It caused my pinkie to go numb and the side of this one," Hughes said, indicating his left ring finger.
Hughes remembered the long seven months he spent in 2006 in Surprise, Ariz., working his way back from his reconstructive surgery. That ran through his mind on the mound on Saturday night in Chicago.
"I figured, you know what, it's not worth throwing another pitch," Hughes said. "Rehabbing from Tommy John is not fun."
If Hughes is not ready, Hillman said he was contemplating using a combination of bullpen pitchers and "other possibilities as well." Presumably that could involve someone from the just-completed Minor League season such as right-hander Anthony Lerew from Double-A Northwest Arkansas. Lerew, who has pitched in 11 Major League games for Atlanta, was 10-6 with a 4.09 ERA in 27 starts this year for the Naturals.
With rain soaking the field on Monday afternoon, outfielders David DeJesus (right ankle) and Mark Teahen (lower back) were held out of the Royals' lineup against the Red Sox. DeJesus is about ready.
"If it was dry, he could probably push it a little bit and go, but it's still a little sore," Hillman said.
Left-handed reliever John Bale, out with a strained right hamstring, might return before the end of this homestand. He hasn't pitched since Sept. 4.
"Johnny feels pretty good," Hillman said. "His workload increases while we were gone, he's throwing easy off the bottom part of the mound and his leg's coming along."
Dick Kaegel is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
