Bailey -- or his clone? -- may join Royals

KANSAS CITY – While Opening Day starter Brad Keller will pitch again on Tuesday against the Twins on normal rest, the Royals continue to list Wednesday’s starter as to-be-announced.

But that spot in the rotation likely will go to right-hander Homer Bailey, who was signed in the offseason but is not yet on the 40-man roster.

The Royals have one spot open on their 40-man roster. But the Royals would have to make a corresponding move on Wednesday to the active roster. That move likely will be to option a pitcher to Triple-A Omaha.

Royals manager Ned Yost, though, playfully avoided confirming that Bailey would get the start:

Yost: "It'll be in the notes when the time is right. Right now it’s TBA."

Reporter: "Well, [Bailey] is here."

Yost: "How do you know he's here?"

Reporter: "I saw him."

Yost: "Maybe it was a look-alike Homer Bailey."

Pitching coach Cal Eldred, though, confirmed that Bailey threw on Thursday in a Minor League game in Arizona, continuing to build up arm strength. Bailey then was spotted in the clubhouse Saturday.

"He threw 6 1/3 innings," Eldred said. "He threw good. He was fired up, about as much as you can get in an empty stadium pitching against rookie-ball hitters."