Royals' roster coming into clearer scope

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Royals manager Ned Yost and his staff continue to ponder how their Opening Day roster may finalize, especially as left-hander Danny Duffy appears headed for the injured list as he rehabs from shoulder tightness, and now that right-hander Ian Kennedy will start in the bullpen.

Yost said that he and his staff haven’t made any decisions about the final 25-man roster, but he added that it's possible that the club could open the season with four starters and eight bullpen arms because the Royals have three built-in off-days in the first eight days and may not need a fifth starter until April 10 or 11.

With that many off-days, Yost said he may not have to carry their customary 13 pitchers, which could leave an opening for an additional position player.

“We haven’t decided anything yet,” Yost said. “It’s possible [to add an extra position player].”

As the roster likely stands now, Yost’s bench would consist of backup catcher Cam Gallagher, designated pinch-runner and reserve outfielder Terrance Gore, and super-utility man Chris Owings.

While Yost will move Owings around the infield to get him playing time, and use Gore as much as he can as a late-inning weapon, the skipper isn’t likely to pinch-hit that much. But Yost perhaps could use another right-handed bat to DH against any tough lefties the first two weeks. In that scenario, left-handed-hitting Brian Goodwin would sit, and Jorge Soler would play right field.

That right-handed DH bat could be someone like Jorge Bonifacio, who was just optioned to Triple-A Omaha. It also could be someone like Cheslor Cuthbert, Humberto Arteaga or Frank Schwindel, although none of those three are on the 40-man roster. Schwindel belted a solo homer in the second and added two sacrifice flies in Wednesday's 8-7 win over the Rockies.

And Cuthbert is out of options, which would be a problem when Duffy returns from the injured list and the Royals would need to clear a spot.

Arteaga is having a great spring, hitting .486, as is Cuthbert, who is hitting .350.

Yost also could stick with a three-man bench and a 13-man staff, which would include nine pitchers in the bullpen. Those who appear locks to make the bullpen include Wily Peralta, Jake Diekman, Brad Boxberger, Tim Hill, and Kennedy. After that, it seems highly likely that Kevin McCarthy and Kyle Zimmer are in. Right-hander Heath Fillmyer, who has options, could take the eighth bullpen spot, which could leave the ninth spot for one of the two Rule 5 Draft picks, Sam McWilliams or Chris Ellis, or right-hander Michael Ynoa, who has a 1.17 ERA this spring.

Ynoa, though, is not on the 40-man roster and is out of options. McWilliams and Eillis have to stay on the 25-man roster all season or be offered back to their previous team.

Jirsch is back

Third-base coach Mike Jirschele had not been able to coach third base this spring until Tuesday night when the Royals played the Cubs.

Jirschele had off-season back surgery and has been recovering.

“I felt pretty good,” Jirschele said. “It was good to get back out there.”

Up next

The Royals will travel to Goodyear, Ariz., on Thursday for a 3:05 p.m. CT start against the Reds. Right-hander Heath Fillmyer will get the start followed by Glenn Sparkman and Richard Lovelady. Cincinnati will counter with right-hander Anthony DeSclafani.